Marlene Bleeker

Marlene Bleeker, 64, of Sioux Center, IA, died unexpectedly Saturday, December 26, 2015, at Sioux Center Health.

A visitation will be held on Thursday from 3-7PM, with the family present from 4-7PM at the First Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center.

A private family prayer service will be held Friday followed by a committal service in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday at 2:00PM at the First Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center, with Rev. Carl Klompien officiating.

In lieu of flowers or gift items, the Bleeker family prefers you honor Marlene’s memory with a memorial contribution to Sioux Center Home Health & Hospice, c/o Sioux Center Health Foundation.

Marlene Kay (Molenaar) Bleeker was born on June 6, 1951 to Arie and Katherine (De Jong) Molenaar in Bellingham, Washington the eighth of nine children. She spent her elementary years in Lynden, Washington and moved to Quincy, Washington in seventh grade. She attended Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa where she met and married Lynn Bleeker on August 12, 1972. They made their home in Sioux Center and enjoyed 43 great years together raising a family.

 

Marlene was one of the most selfless people you would ever meet. She was always giving of her time and had endless energy. She was passionate about her work, and cared for many in her 30 years as a CNA with Home Health and the Sioux Center Hospital. Marlene had a contagious smile, she was a gracious hostess and her heart and home were always open to anyone. Marlene's greatest joy in life was her family, especially her grandchildren. She loved to spend all of her free time taking care of them and enjoyed loving them and making special memories with each one in the midst of everyday life. Marlene was an active member at the First Christian Reformed Church and involved in Joy Society and Moms/Grandmothers prayer group. Marlene's faith in Jesus Christ was evident to everyone she came in contact with. She had a beautiful life in fellowship with Jesus and we celebrate that she is now with her Savior.

 

She is survived by her loving husband, Lynn, of Sioux Center, IA and her four children and ten grandchildren: Kerri and Brad Pollema of Rock Valley, IA (Sawyer, Dawson, Sierra), Kimber and Jeremy Van Essen of Edgerton, MN (Shane, Sydney, Shaylee, Silas, Shelby, Sophie), Kraig and Danielle Bleeker of Pasadena, CA (Kyriana), Kyle and Brianna Bleeker of Rancho Cucamonga, CA; five brothers and sisters: Neil (Kay) Molenaar of Wenatchee, WA, Harold (Gayle) Molenaar of Tempe, AZ, Les (Lorna) Molenaar of Lynden, WA, Esther (Dick) Mellema of Lynden, WA, Carolyn (George) Sibert of Wenatchee, WA; and brother-in-law: Harold Stremler of Mesa, AZ and sister-in-law, Marlene (Don) Riggan of Lacey, WA; Lynn's sisters and brother: Louise (Scott) Ravenhorst of Irvine, CA, Marcia Bleeker of Chad, Africa, Kay (Jeff ) Moore of Redmond, WA; Lee (Sharon) Bleeker of Prinsburg, MN; Karen (Dan) Gronseth of Mesa, AZ; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

 

Marlene was preceded in death by one brother, Ken Molenaar; two sisters: Marcia Molenaar and Althea Stremler; her parents and her husband's parents.