Langstraat, Leonard Jr. 1911-2009

LANGSTRAAT, DEHEUS, MORRIS, HAMPTON

Posted By: Ernie Braida (email)
Date: 1/10/2010 at 17:36:46

Leonard Langstraat, Jr. was born February 17, 1911 on his parents' farm near Peoria, Iowa.

He went Home to the Lord on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at the age of 98 years, 2 months and 19 days.

Leonard and his twin Minnie were born to Leonard and Wilhiminia (De Heus) Langstraat. They were the 11th and 12th of what would be sixteen children. When they were 12 the family moved east of Pella where his dad built the barns and home. Those building are still standing and being used. They are located east of VerMeer; the barn is a large red structure with "Slycord" on the roof. This was a dairy farm called Garden City Dairy when the Langstraat family lived there. As a boy, Leonard delivered milk in Pella with the horse and wagon.

As a young man, Leonard worked for his brother, Corney, until he married Wylda Mae Morris on January 25, 1934. The couple rented a farm east of Pershing. Two years later they rented a farm near Bussey, where they moved. While on that farm Leonard and Wylda were blessed with two children, Dwight and Joann.

In early 1943 they bought their current farm northwest of Bussey.

Wylda passed away on October 27, 1995. Leonard was still very much involved in farming and keeping his place looking nice, right up to the day he fell and broke his hip in June of 2008.

Leonard faithfully attended Union Liberty Church east of Bussey for several years. He was the Sunday School Superintendent at the First Assembly of God Church in Knoxville for approximately 25 years. He was a Board Member for many years and was on the building committee for both the church and parsonage. He also taught a men's Bible class for several years. He was an excellent Christian example for his children.

He also served his community as President of the Rural Telephone Line for several years and was a charter member of the Farmer's Co-op and served its board for 4 years.

During the 1960's, along with farming, Leonard was a distributor/Salesman for Tage Chemical Co. (Tox-O-Wik Products).

In 1998 Leonard married Margaret Hampton of Oskaloosa. They made their home on Leonard's farm. Margaret passed away in May of 2006. Leonard continued living alone at the farm.

On October 31, 2005, Joann and her husband Jan Butler moved from Southern California to be of assistance to Leonard. In December of 2006 he came to stay with Joann and Jan for the winter and never left.

He continued to be very active; mowing his huge yard at the farm, driving and playing golf. He was very active and social with lots of friends everywhere. He enjoyed going to McDonald's every day for lunch - just to see his friends.

He always wanted to drive his John Deere tractor in the Bussey 4th of July Parade. So, his son-in-law cleaned it up and decorated it with flags and Leonard got to drive it in the 2007 parade. That was a real thrill for Leonard.

On June 9, 2008, Leonard fell as he was coming into the house and broke his hip. Since that time he was a resident of Pella LTC. He celebrated his 98th birthday in February, receiving 100 cards and phone calls.

Leonard was preceded in death by his parents; two wives; brothers: Henry, Herman, Peter, Dick, Corney, John, Paul and Jake and his sisters: Hattie, Irene, Sara, Alice, Ann and his twin, Minnie.

Those left to honor his memory include his son, Dwight (Phyllis), 2 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren all living in Oklahoma; his daughter Joann (Jan) Butler of Knoxville, a granddaughter in California and a grandson, his wife and 3 great-grandchildren in Round Rock, Texas. Leonard also had 4 step-children: Willard (Judy) Uitrmartt of Oskaloosa, 6 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren; Dorothy (Jerry) Krusemark of Jesup, 3 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren; Victor Hampton of Oskaloosa, 4 grandchildren and Rod (Joyce) Hampton of Pella and many other family members and friends.

Burial: Graceland Cemetery Knoxville, IA

Bertrand Funeral Homes May 2009