Leslie, Wilma Joan "Jo" (Mrs. Cliff) 1925-2021

LESLIE, VANWYK, MUILENBURG

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/18/2021 at 14:15:53

Wilma Joan (Van Wyk) Leslie, or 'Jo' as most people knew her, slipped peacefully from sleep to her home with Jesus on Monday, November 29, 2021. She was 95 years and 11 months old.

A celebration of her life will be at a later date. The Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City is assisting the family.

Jo was born in Orange City, Iowa to Henry Lawrence Van Wyk and Cora (Muilenburg) Van Wyk on December 30,1925. Growing up on the family farm Southwest of town, she loved her horse, played trombone, and sang in choir. Her parents thought she should be a nurse. Jo, however, wanted to teach. So after earning her two-year degree from Northwestern Jr. College, she launched her new career. One of her early positions was as a third-grade teacher in Everly, IA where she met the love of her life and partner for 67 years, Cliff Leslie. Dad’s plans for a career in service with the US Navy took a sudden pivot in direction when they were called back to Orange City to help with the family farm. The early years of family life took Jo away from teaching for a time. When she later returned to the classroom, it was with the understanding that she would earn her four-year degree in education. Working full time and raising a family did not leave her time to study. Late nights often passed into the early morning as she read novels aloud to herself while pacing the living room floor. By attending summer school and night school, Jo graduated from Northwestern College in 1966 with her Bachelor of Arts in Education. She was a model of perseverance.

Jo influenced the lives and education of more than seven hundred students and their parents over the course of her career as a teacher in the MOC-FV School District. Making the classroom a safe place and new learning materials accessible required creativity and diligence. However, life at school was not always serious business. Innocent, but inappropriate student remarks and behavior sometimes sent her to the hallway in laughter. Jo and her colleagues enjoyed playing practical jokes on one another. She had a dry wit and keen sense of punchline timing. As a life-long learner, she was always curious, and could be frequently heard saying, “I have a question…”

True to life, Jo also experienced hardship and grief, including the trauma of losing a young daughter to leukemia. God used suffering to develop in her a deep dependence upon and trust in her Heavenly Father’s faithfulness. As a result, when others struggled, she freely gave of herself to offer hope, love, and wisdom. Jo’s tenacious faith carried her and many others through life’s joys and trials. Even in her final days, Jo focused on encouraging and building up the hearts and lives of those around her.

Curiosity, community, education, compassion, love, and faith are the legacy of her life. These qualities and more are what we choose to remember about our friend, teacher, and mother. Perfection is never part of anyone’s legacy, but forgiveness and grace are. In our sadness, there is gratitude. In her death, she is once again whole and abounding in joy. While we reflect on how Jo’s life has shaped us, we also must consider how the gift of her life influences the way in which we will live forward, stepping up to the challenge of her legacy.

Jo is survived by one son, three daughters and their spouses, one granddaughter, three grandsons and their spouses, and one great grandson.

Love you, Mom - today and always!

Memorial gifts may be directed to the Cliff Leslie Scholarship Fund at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa.

Source: Oolman Funeral Home online obituary.