Leonard De Kruyf

Leonard DeKruyf, 90, of Sioux Center, Iowa died Wednesday, 1/25, at the Sioux Center Community Hospital.

A memorial service will be held Monday, 1/30, 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 Monday, 1/30, at 12:30pm at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center.

Visitation will be held Sunday, 1/29, from 2pm to 8pm, with the family present from 2pm to 4pm at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center.
To view an online video tribute, plase click on the following link: http://videos.lifetributes.com/?id=2370

Leonard De Kruyf was born July 14, 1915 in The Netherlands to John and Clazina (Bakker) De Kruyf. As an infant Leonard immigrated to the United States with his family where they settled in southern Lyon County, Iowa. He attended country school through the seventh and as a teenager began working for area farmers as a hired-hand.

Leonard met and later married Tena Maliepaard on February 18, 1942 in Sioux Center, Iowa. The couple began farming near Lebanon, Iowa, where they raised their four children. Leonard was an active member of the Lebanon Christian Reformed Church. He served as a deacon and as a member of the school board.

In 1969, Leonard and Tena moved into Sioux Center. Leonard began working as a custodian at the Sioux Center Christian School. He enjoyed the school atmosphere and playfully interacted with the children on occasion. He also worked a few summers at Sandy Hollow Golf Course east of town. While living in Sioux Center he became a member of the First Christian Reformed Church.

Over the years Leonard deeply appreciated the time he spent with his children and grandchildren. He looked forward to the annual family fishing trips to Battle Lake, Minnesota. He was usually the first in the boat in the morning and last out at the end of each day. Leonard filled his spare time throughout his life working in his shop on woodworking projects or outside in his garden.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 64 years, Tena De Kruyf of Sioux Center; 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 Hull and Dennis and Sharon De Kruyf of Sioux Center along with his 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 13 great-grandchildren: Jacob and Lydia Kieft, Amanda, Adam and Alex De Ruyter, Alexa, Kelana and Treyton De Ruyter, Ben, Grant and Emma De Kruyf, Taryn Wilken, Teylor Dorr. Leonard is also survived by two sisters: Betty Leeuw of Artesia, CA and Clara Eisma of Ireton; brother and sister-in-law, John and Bev De Kruyf of Norwalk, CA; sister-in-law, Nellie De Kruyf of Sioux Center and several nieces and nephews.

Leonard was preceded in death by his grandson, Brian Dale De Kruyf; his parents; brother, Henry De Kruyf; sister and brother-in-law, Nellie and Harold Hollander and two brothers-in-law: Allen Eisma and Chris Leeuw.