Vander Stoep, Eileen 1912-2010

VANDER STOEP, LENIHAN

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 7/26/2010 at 16:20:59

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Eileen Vander Stoep, 98, of Le Mars, passed away quietly at Plymouth Manor Care Center in Le Mars Tuesday June 15, 2010, with family at her side.

Eileen Katherine Lenihan was born to D.C. and Nell Lenihan of Le Mars, Feb. 7, 1912, the third of five children. Her entire life was spent in Le Mars, graduating from Central High School in 1930, attending the University of Iowa for a year, and then returning to work at the Plymouth County Courthouse until her marriage.

Eileen married Dr. Harry Vander Stoep July 1, 1940. They were the parents of four children, Rachel, Phil, Tom, and Mark.

She was a homemaker who enjoyed volunteering for her children's activities, a life-long member of St. James Catholic Church, and a former member of the service organizations T.T.T. and the Hospital Auxiliary.

She enjoyed cooking, entertaining, playing bridge, and reading mysteries.

She is survived by her four children: Rachel of Le Mars, Phil and his wife Kay of St. Cloud, Minn., Tom of San Diego, Calif., and Mark and his wife Trish of Tempe, Ariz. She has five grandchildren: Monica Reyna, Leigh Ghandour, Jessica Morris, and Andrew and Peter Vander Stoep. Her three great-grandchildren are Stockton Vander Stoep and Hayden and Rachel Reyna.

Eileen was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Harry in 2005; her parents; a sister Elizabeth "Betty" Lenihan; and three brothers: Phil, Dennis, and Tom Lenihan.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Friday at St. James Catholic Church, with the Rev. Kevin Richter officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Le Mars.

Visitation will be Thursday at the Feuerstein Funeral Home in Le Mars from 5-7 p.m. with family present from 6-7 p.m.