Laurie Meendering

Laurie Meendering, 52, of Sioux Center, IA died Thursday, October 30, 2008 at her residence.

Friends and Family are invited to join for aprayer service Monday at 10:00am at First Reformed Church of Sioux Center before the graveside committal service.

A memorial service will be held Monday at 11:00am at First Reformed Church of Sioux Center with Rev. Tanner Smith officiating. Interment will be held prior to the memorial service in Memory Gardens cemetery of Sioux Center.

Visitation will be held Sunday from 2-8pm with the family present from 2-4pm at Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center.

The Meendering family prefers memorials be directed to CHEARS Home Health and Hospice.



Laurel Mae Meendering was born May 27, 1956, to Albert and Laura (Wolf) Haller in Ashley, North Dakota. She attended high school in Eureka, South Dakota graduating in 1974.

Laurie loved life and enjoyed spending time with her family. She will be remembered for her hospitality and gracious spirit. She was involved in various organizations throughout her life. She served as the president of the Schmeckfest Board in Eureka, SD and was a 4H leader for many years. She enjoyed teaching Sunday school and Bible school and was always very active in her childrens lives.

Over the years Laurie worked at a variety of careers including being a waitress, short order cook, farm wife and hay grinder. Because of her love for people she attended Mitchell Technical Institute to become a medical assistant and worked for a few years as a nurses aid.

On September 30, 2002, Laurie married Marvin Meendering of Sioux Center. After moving to Sioux Center, Laurie became a member of First Reformed Church. She was active in the community, serving on the Heritage Board and as a speech coach for Sioux Center High School.

Laurie loved being a grandmother and visits from her grandchildren always brightened even the most difficult of days.

Laurie is survived by her husband, Marvin Meendering of Sioux Center; daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Clayton Gropper of Mitchell, SD; son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Kari Stickelmyer of Aberdeen, SD; step-son and his wife, Joshua and Emily Meendering of Sioux Center; step-daughter and her husband, Rebecca and Brent Leusink of Sioux Center; six grandchildren: Kyra and Kyanna Gropper of Mithchell, SD; Thomas and Anna Stickelmyer of Aberdeen, SD; Rachel and Jacob Leusink of Sioux Center; mother and step-father, Laura Haller and Mel Rieker of Herreid, SD; sister and brother-in-law, Jane and Wilbert (Buddy) Wilson of Richmond, VA and a nephew, Benjamin Jurgensen of Richmond, VA.

She is preceded in death by her father, Albert Haller.