Van Maasdam, Leona E. (Mrs. Peter) 1921-2006

VANMAASDAM, VANPEURSEM, DEJAGER

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke-Volunteer
Date: 2/3/2015 at 23:59:26

Source: Sioux County Capital Democrat (6-22-2006)

Born: July 21, 1921
Died: June 22, 2006

Leona Van Maasdam was born July 21, 1921 to Albert and Henrietta (Van Peursem) De Jager on a farm near Maurice, Iowa. She received her education attending Maurice Public School, graduating with the class of 1938. She worked as a grocery clerk in Maurice for two years prior to her marriage. On February 27,1941, she and Peter Van Maasdam were married at the home of her parents in Maurice. For several years they farmed in the Maurice are. In 1959 they moved to Minnesota and purchased the family farm southeast of Westbrook. After retiring from farming in 1992, they moved into town.

At age 16, Leona asked Jesus to be her Savior and lived her life accordingly. She was active in the life and ministry of Immanuel Baptist Church in Westbrook where she was a member and a Sunday School teacher for many years. She also assisted with Bible Study at the Westbrook Good Samaritan Home. Leona served as Treasurer of School District #358 and was also an adult leader for the Rosehill Sunshine 4-H Club.

Favorite hobbies include traveling, gardening and reading. She enjoyed the relationship that she shared with her neighbors and many friends. She loved her family dearly, and was a devoted mother and grandmother. Following a courageous battle with cancer, Leona died at her home on June 22, 2006 in Westbrook. She was 84 years of age.

She is survived by four sons, James (Judy) Van Maasdam, Gibbon, Minnesota; Robert (Sherril) Van Maasdam, Westbrook, Minnesota; Roger (Cheryl) Van Maasdam, Blue Springs, Missouri; Curtis (Crystal) Van Maasdam, Vergas, Minnesota; two daughters, Janice Van Maasdam, Pasadena, California; and Pat (Mel) Peterson, Spirit Lake, Iowa; 12 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren; one brother, Paul (Charlotte) De Jager, Maurice, Iowa; many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Preceding her death were her parents, husband Peter, and sister Esther Johnson.