Home > United States of America > Iowa > Mahaska County > Peoria > Peoria Cemetery > Leona Mae Langstraat De Vries

Leona Mae Langstraat De Vries

Birth	:	7 Mar 1932 Mahaska County, Iowa, USA
Death	:	9 Feb 2020 Pella, Marion County, Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Peoria Cemetery, Peoria, Mahaska County, USA
Coordinate	:	41.4620018, -92.8040009
Description	:	Leona Mae (Langstraat) De Vries was born on March 7, 1932, at home on a farm three miles south of Oskaloosa, Iowa. She was the third of five children of Henry and Nellie (Kelderman) Langstraat. Each day she walked one and one-half miles to a one-room country school where she graduated from eighth grade. She started working at Kresge’s Five and Dime in Oskaloosa and later in a restaurant. Early on, she learned how to count back change and was always thankful of the fact that she had her calculator in her head. In 1948, Leona and five other people... Read More	Leona Mae (Langstraat) De Vries was born on March 7, 1932, at home on a farm three miles south of Oskaloosa, Iowa. She was the third of five children of Henry and Nellie (Kelderman) Langstraat. Each day she walked one and one-half miles to a one-room country school where she graduated from eighth grade. She started working at Kresge’s Five and Dime in Oskaloosa and later in a restaurant. Early on, she learned how to count back change and was always thankful of the fact that she had her calculator in her head. In 1948, Leona and five other people from the Pella and Oskaloosa, Iowa Protestant Reformed Churches went to a Young People’s Convention in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Little did she know that her husband-to-be was driving them in his relatively new Nash car. While at the convention, Leona and Harold Henry De Vries started dating, and on November 24, 1950, they were married and planned to start farming. In June of 1951, Harold was drafted into the United States Army. Leona was able to accompany him in Fort Knox, Kentucky where they lived together until 1952 when Harold was deployed to Korea. While Harold was stationed in Korea, Leona lived with Harold’s parents, Wiebe and Gertrude (Bennink) De Vries, and did housekeeping for others. During this time, she faithfully wrote him letters, prayed for his safety, and gave birth to their first child whom Harold did not see until nine months later. In March 1953, Harold returned home safely and was reunited with his family. They began farming and Leona kept busy with a large productive garden including an abundance of canning and freezing of fruits and vegetables. While washing dishes, she spent many evenings assisting the children with memorizing catechism, memory verses, mathematics facts, and spelling words. She spent countless hours doing the laundry and ironing for a family of ten. In later years, she sewed quilts and embroidered dish towels for the children and grandchildren. Her famous chocolate chip cookies became a favorite treat for visiting children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Within 14 years, Harold and Leona had eight children, three sons and a daughter, three sons and a daughter: Harlan Wayne, Larry Eugene, Dennis Lee, Patricia Joy, Bryce Allen, Wavern Glen, Kevin Ray, and Kimberly June. The family eventually grew to include nineteen grandchildren, followed by 50 great-grandchildren. Traditionally, the entire family of nearly 100 members gathers each year for a Christmas celebration. Leona and Harold went on several memorable vacations to visit family and friends. They traveled to Alaska, California, Florida, Washington, and British Columbia to enjoy the ocean, mountains, and other scenery. They have been faithful members of the Peoria Christian Reformed Church in Peoria, Iowa. Leona attended many Bible studies and did volunteer work including making Dutch letter dough as a fundraiser for the Peoria Christian School. Leona suffered a stroke in 2017 which necessitated that she live at Jefferson Place in Pella, Iowa. Leona lived a life of faithful service to her Lord and Savior and was a devoted wife and mother. Although not highly educated, the faith lessons she taught were etched into the hearts of her children. On Sunday, February 9, 2020, she passed away at the age of 87 years. Leona was richly blessed with 68 years of marriage and a large, loving family. They are: Leona is survived by two brothers: Henry Junior (Cynthia) Langstraat of Otley, Iowa; Terry (Coral) Langstraat of Melstone, Montana; along with brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: William Dieleman of Bella Vista, Arkansas; Syburn (Judy) De Vries of Pella, Iowa; Gertrude Visser of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Joyce Heynen of Hull, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Henry De Vries on Sunday, May 19, 2019; a great-grandson, Collin De Vries; her parents, Henry and Nellie (Kelderman) Langstraat; a step-father, Gysbert Ryken; her sisters: Agnes and husband, Ray Van Weelden, and Emily Dieleman; her parents-in-law, Wiebe and Gertrude (Bennink) De Vries; a step mother-in-law, Gerdena De Vries; and brothers-in-law: Bob Visser and William Heynen. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested for the Peoria Christian School Foundation. [Adapted from Van Dyk - Duven Funeral Home web site]

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Leona Mae Langstraat De Vries's memorial?
Leona Mae Langstraat De Vries's memorial is located at: Peoria Cemetery, Peoria, Mahaska County, USA.
When did Leona Mae Langstraat De Vries death?
Leona Mae Langstraat De Vries death on 9 Feb 2020 in Pella, Marion County, Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Leona Mae Langstraat De Vries's memorial?
Latitude: 41.4620018
Longitude: -92.8040009

Family Members:

Parent

Henry John Langstraat

(1899 - 1972)

Petronella “Nellie” Kelderman Ryken

(1906 - 1995)

Spouse

Harold H De Vries

(1930 - 2019)

Siblings

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Peoria Cemetery
Peoria, Mahaska County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4620018, -92.8040009

2. Appel Cemetery
Mahaska County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4474983, -92.7861023

3. Baldwin Cemetery
Mahaska County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4831009, -92.7761002

4. Sandridge Cemetery
Marion County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4831009, -92.8897018

5. Weatherwax Cemetery
New Sharon, Mahaska County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4516380, -92.7116580

6. Chase Cemetery (Defunct)
Sully, Jasper County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5151985, -92.8738699

7. Chester Cemetery
Sully, Jasper County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5368996, -92.8336029

8. Centennial Cemetery
Mahaska County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3857994, -92.7771988

9. Black Oak Cemetery
Mahaska County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3922005, -92.8542023

10. Jackson Cemetery
New Sharon, Mahaska County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4441230, -92.6989610

11. Graceland Cemetery
Pella, Marion County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4300003, -92.9103012

12. Bethany Cemetery
Sully, Jasper County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5321999, -92.8705978

13. New Salem Cemetery
Lynnville, Jasper County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5466995, -92.7752991

14. Saint Marys Cemetery
Pella, Marion County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4336014, -92.9158020

15. Stewart Cemetery
Mahaska County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5046997, -92.6996994

16. Mitchell Cemetery
Lacey, Mahaska County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3918000, -92.7223500

17. Mayfield Cemetery
Lynnville, Jasper County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5646740, -92.7892740

18. Evergreen Cemetery
Leighton, Mahaska County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3572006, -92.7881012

19. Oak Wood Cemetery
Pella, Marion County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4096870, -92.9282000

20. Vierson Cemetery
Pella, Marion County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4235090, -92.9387260

21. Buwalda Cemetery
Pella, Marion County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4450000, -92.9485500

22. Woodland Cemetery
Lynnville, Jasper County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5744019, -92.7925034

23. Campbell Cemetery
Lynnville, Jasper County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5768210, -92.7975000

24. New Sharon Friends Cemetery
New Sharon, Mahaska County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4625015, -92.6502991