Tena De Kruyf

Tena De Kruyf, 86, of Sioux Center, Iowa died Sunday, 3/19, at Royale Meadows Care Center in Sioux Center.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, 3/22, at 2pm at the First Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center with Rev. Mark Verbruggen officiating. Interment will be held prior to the memorial service in Lebanon Cemetery of rural Sioux Center.

A prayer service will be held Wednesday, 3/22, at 12:30pm at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, 3/21, from 2pm to 8pm, with the family present from 6pm to 8pm at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center.

To view an online tribute of Tena's life please click on the following link http://videos.lifetributes.com/?id=2868


Tena Maliepaard De Kruyf was born January 11, 1920 to Case and Rena (Terpstra) Maliepaard near Inwood, Iowa. She was raised near Inwood and Sioux Center, attending the Sioux Center Christian School.

Tena was united in marriage to Leonard De Kruyf on February 18, 1942 in Sioux Center. The couple began farming near Lebanon, Iowa, where they raised their four children. Tena embraced her role as a mother and farm wife. She assisted Leonard with outside chores, but everyone knew their home was Tenas domain. She prepared delicious meals for her family and hired-men, and if you happen to stop on the yard near mealtime it was expected you stay for lunch. Tena kept a spotless home and there was usually always something baking in her simple kitchen. Tenas spare time was spent sewing quilts, doing embroidery or crocheting; most of which have become heirlooms. While living on the farm, Tena was a member of Lebanon Christian Reformed Church where she participated in Ora-Et-Labora.

In 1969, Tena and Leonard moved to Sioux Center. She assisted Leonard with his custodial duties at the Sioux Center Christian School. She also volunteered at the Siouxland Blood Bank and Mid-Sioux Opportunity. She and Leonard attended Lebanon CRC for many years after moving to town, however, later joined the First Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center where she was active in Ruth Circle.

In her later years Tena could often be found working on a crossword or word-find puzzle. She also helped Leonard in his shop with woodworking projects or outside in their garden.

She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law: Rosella and Ed De Ruyter of Rock Valley and Viola and Rod De Jong of Orange City; two sons and daughters-in-law: Roger and Fran De Kruyf of Boyden and Dennis and Sharon De Kruyf of Sioux Center along with her 13 grandchildren: Carla (Jay) Kieft, Steve (Bonnie) De Ruyter, Dave (Becky) De Ruyter, Mark (Jill) De Ruyter, Loren (Meredith) De Kruyf, Jason De Kruyf, Brad De Kruyf, Lisa De Kruyf, Amy (Tim) Wilken, Gina (Mike) Dorr, Ryan De Jong, Kim De Jong, Jon De Jong and 14 great-grandchildren: Jacob and Lydia Kieft, Amanda, Adam, Alex De Ruyter, Alexa, Kelana and Treyton De Ruyter, Ben, Grant and Emma De Kruyf, Taryn Wilken, Teylor Dorr and Emma De Ruyter. Tena is also survived by two sisters: Pearl Bloemendaal of Sioux Center and Jeanette Miedema of Mitchell, SD; two sisters and brothers-in-law: Trudy and Ken Split of Kentwood, MI and Kay and Charles Spoelhof of Pittsford, NY; brother and sister-in-law, Gary and Delores Maliepaard of Grand Rapids, MI and numerous nieces and nephews.

Tena was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 64 years, Leonard De Kruyf on January 25, 2006; a grandson, Brian Dale De Kruyf; her parents; two sisters: Hattie Maliepaard and Nellie Vander Veen; five brothers-in-law: Eilert Bloemendaal, Henry Miedema, Tony Droog, Gerard Meyer and John Vander Veen.