Mary E. Bleeker

Mary Bleeker, 56, of Sioux Center, IA died Thursday, July 28, 2011 at the Sioux Center Community Hospital of Sioux Center. A visitation will be held Sunday from 2-7PM at Central Reformed Church, with the family present from 2-5PM. A prayer service for family and friends will be held Monday at 10AM at Central Reformed Church, with interment to follow the prayer service in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center. A memorial service will be held Monday at 11AM at Central Reformed Church with Rev. R. Van Rathbun officiating. In lieu of flowers, the Bleeker family prefers you honor Mary's memory with a memorial contribution directed to the Sioux Center Community High School Fine Arts Department. Mary Ellen Bleeker was born October 11, 1954 to Richard and Dorothy (Westlund) Parker in Gilman, Iowa. Mary attended Gilman High school and enjoyed playing 6 on 6 basketball. Mary still holds a record for rebounding. After high school she attended Central College of Pella, Iowa graduating with a degree in Education. Later she received her Masters from the University of South Dakota. Mary became an English teacher in Sioux Center Community School in 1976. While living in Sioux Center, she met and married Gary Bleeker. The couple was united in marriage on June 17, 1978. Mary chose to live her life based on twelve simple rules. The first rule, "Jesus Is My Savior," speaks of her devotion to her faith. Secondly, she followed The Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have others do to you." The other ten rules are made up of the Ten Commandments from the Bible. Mary used these rules to guide her as a wife, mother, teacher and friend. Mary made an impact on many students throughout her 35 years of teaching and leadership. She was a speech coach for numerous years and served as the president of the Iowa Speech Board. She also enjoyed taking students on educational trips to Europe and all over the United States. Mary was a member of the Sioux Center teacher's association and was the president of the Sioux Center Library board. She was also proud of her involvement in Habitat for Humanity. Those left to cherish her memory are her husband Gary of Sioux Center; three children: Jeremiah James and Jennifer Marie Bleeker of Marion, IA, Richard Todd Bleeker of San Diego, CA and Rachel Gail Bleeker of Sioux Center; three grandchildren: Riley James, Thomas James and Jocelyn Claire Marie Bleeker all of Marion, IA; a brother and sister-in-law, John and Susan Parker of Gilman,IA as well members of the Bleeker family. Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Dorothy Parker.