Leona Dekkenga

Leona Dekkenga, 76, of Sioux Center, IA died Thursday, October 30, 2008 at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, IA.

A graveside committal service will be held Monday at 1pm at the Roseland Cemetery of Sanborn, IA with Rev. Carl Klompien officiating.

A memorial service will be held Monday at 3pm at the First Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center with Rev. Mark Verbruggen officiating.

Visitation will be held Sunday from 1:30pm to 4:30pm at the First Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center, with the family present from 2:30pm to 4:30pm.



Leona Ellen Dekkenga was born June 9, 1932 near Ocheyedan, Iowa, the daughter of Julius and Ethel (Runia) Zevenbergen. She attended rural schools and high school in Sibley, Iowa. She continued her education at Calvin College.

Leona married Martin Dekkenga December 30, 1953, in Ocheyedan. The couple lived in Michigan, Sanborn and Austinville, Iowa, New Holland, South Dakota and Sioux Center, Iowa. She worked as a secretary at Dordt College for over twenty-five years. In her free time she enjoyed crocheting and reading.

She was a member of First Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center and a member of Gleaners Forum Bible study group.

Leona is survived by her husband, Martin of Sioux Center; two sons and daughters-in-law: Gordon and Shirley of Yankton, South Dakota, and Stuart and Karla of LeMars, Iowa; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sister and brother-in-law, Viola and Ervin Hibma; brother, Ken Zevenbergen and numerous nieces and nephews. She made family gatherings, particularly Christmas, a very special teaching time for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Carolyn Beth; her parents, Julius and Ethel Zevenbergen; her brother, Ronald Zevenbergen and a sister-in-law, Verna Zevenbergen.