DeSmit, Leonard 1910-2002

DESMIT, SILVAS, KOOIMA

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke-Volunteer
Date: 7/25/2014 at 13:13:51

Source: Sioux County Capital Democrat (12-5-2002)

Born: March 25, 1910
Died: November 27, 2002

Leonard De Smit, 92, of Hull died Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2002, at the Hawarden Community Hospital. A funeral service was held on Friday, Nov. 29, at 1:30 p.m. at the Oolman Funeral Home in Hull. The Rev. Stephen Breen officiated. Burial followed at Hope Cemetery in Hull under the direction of the Oolman Funeral Home.

Leonard was born on March 25,1910, in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, the son of Cornelius and Lena (Silvas) De Smit. At the age of two he came to the United States and his family settled at Orange City. On Nov. 20, 1934, he married Tena Kooima at Rock Valley. They lived at Sioux Falls, S.D., Rock Valley and Hudson, S.D. In 1941, they moved to Hull. Leonard worked as a farm laborer and was employed by Demco Mfg. In Boyden. Mrs. De Smit died Sept. 25, 1987, in Sioux City.

In 1988, he became a resident of the Hillcrest Health Care Center in Hawarden. Mr. De Smit was a member of the First Christian Reformed Church in Hull.

Survivors include a daughter and her husband, Albertha and Arnold De Jong of Hull; a son and his wife, Arnold and Helen De Smit of Orange City; a daughter-inlaw, Thelma De Smit of Rock Valley; a son-in-law, Alvis Van Beek of Ireton; 15 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, nine great-great-grandchildren; and a brother, Arie De Smit of Orange City.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by two sons, Cornelius and Jay De Smit; a daughter, Sharon Van Beek; a son-in-law, John Top; and a brother, Pete De Smit.
Memorials will be directed to the church.