Koele, Jurleen (Mrs. Harlan) 1944-2023

KOELE, BOMGAARS, VANDERZWAAG

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/21/2023 at 12:26:44

Mrs. Jurleen Koele, age 78, of Le Mars, formerly of Sioux Center, passed away on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at the Good Samaritan Society in Le Mars.

There will be a celebration of Jurleen’s life on Saturday, June 10, at 9:30am, at the Calvin Christian Reformed Church in Le Mars, with Chaplain Richard Cogan officiating. A meal and time of visitation with the family will follow the service at the Uptown Event Center in Le Mars. A private family interment will take place at the Capel Township Cemetery, near Middleburg. The Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City is in charge of arrangements.

Jurleen Cae, the daughter of Elmer and Sernelia (Bomgaars) Van Der Zwaag, was born on October 10, 1944, on her grandparents’ farm near Middleburg. She was raised on the farm and attended a nearby country school through the seventh grade. She graduated from MOC High School in Orange City in 1962, and was working at the Sioux County Treasurer’s Office in Orange City when she met her future husband, Harlan Glen Koele.

She and Harlan were united in marriage on February 7, 1964, at the Middleburg Reformed Church. During their marriage, they lived in Sioux Center, Le Mars, Luverne, Minnesota, and resettled in Le Mars, where they raised their family, and Jurleen worked as the librarian at Clark Elementary School until 1984. Following retirement, they moved to their favorite vacation spot on Lake Miltona, near Alexandria, Minnesota. Together they enjoyed many winters at their home in The Villages, Florida. In 2013, they returned to Northwest Iowa, where they made their home in Sioux Center. Harlan passed away on October 4, 2021, after more than 57 years of marriage.

Jurleen was currently a member of the Central Reformed Church in Sioux Center and a former member of the Calvin Christian Reformed Church in Le Mars. She enjoyed going snowmobiling, doing crafts and photography, traveling, singing, and tending to her flowers. She also loved to entertain and was known as a gracious host and a wonderful cook. She regularly mailed greeting cards to friends and family and was always available for a smile and gave the best hugs. She loved spending time with her family.

In 2018, Jurleen was diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. She bravely fought her disease until her passing.

Survivors include two children and their spouses, Cristi and Craig Bauerly, of Le Mars; and Chad and Peggy Koele, of Woodbine, Maryland; five grandchildren, Kelsey, and her husband, Robb Langel; Caitlin Bauerly, and her fiancé, Craig Schlesser; Hank Koele; Hunter Koele; and Hallie Koele; three great-grandchildren, Brooks and Will Langel; and Brinley Schlesser; and three sisters, Sharon, and her husband, Jim Berkenpas, of Sioux Center; Fran, and her husband, Leon Mouw, of Boyden; and Jo Van Steenwyk, of Milford.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by an infant son; and a brother-in-law, Don Van Steenwyk.

The Koele family would like to thank the staff of the Good Samaritan Society in Le Mars and St. Croix Hospice for their exceptional care of Jurleen.

Memorials will be given to Cure PSP and St. Croix Hospice.

Source: Oolman Funeral Home online obituary.