Leona Roelofs

Leona Roelofs, 100, of rural Blomkest died peacefully Wednesday, October 22nd, with family by her side at Copperleaf Assisted living of Willmar. Her funeral service will be 11:00am, Monday, October 27 at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson & Johnson Funeral Home in Willmar.

Leona was born on February 6, 1925, in rural Renville.  She attended Renville Public School.  Following her graduation, she attended St. Cloud State University to acquire her teaching degree. After receiving her degree, she taught briefly in the area country schools.  On December 20, 1945, Leona was united in marriage to Henry Roelofs of Prinsburg, at the rural Emden Christian Reformed Church.  They spent three years living in Renville. In 1949, they moved to their home in rural Blomkest.  They were blessed with four children.  When her children were a little older, Leona returned to teaching in the Roseland and Danube schools.  She retired after 32 years of teaching. 

During her retirement she enjoyed vacations with family and day trips with friends.  Leona loved to cook, bake, can and freeze.  Her favorite pastime was sewing and quilting.  She continued this until her vision made it impossible.  She loved flowers, plants and trees. Leona spent much of her later years watching all her birds.  She especially loved planning and hosting her family for holidays on the farm.  Following Henry’s death, she remained on the farm for 15 years.  Leona has spent the last 10 months at Copperleaf Assisted Living, which she considered “home.”

Surviving are her children: Mary, Charles (Sandy) and LuAnn (Leon); 12 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Marcella Van Dyke and Janice (Merlin) Kleinhuizen; brother-in-law, Donald Roelofs; and many nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.

In addition to her husband, Henry’s death in 2010, she was preceded in death by her son, Paul in 2008; son-in-law, John Piersma; her parents; three brothers and one sister.

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