Lois Leenderts, 63, Hills, died unexpectedly Monday, April 8, 2002, at Luverne Community Hospital in Luverne after a sudden illness at home.
Services were Thursday, April 11, at First Presbyterian Church in Luverne. The Rev. John Pehrson officiated. Burial was in Luverne Memorial Gardens, rural Luverne.
Lois Reemts was born to Eppo and Dora (Dirks) Reemts on Sept. 27, 1938, in rural Rock Rapids, Iowa. She grew up and attended country school near Ash Creek. She graduated from Luverne High School in 1956.
She married Leonard "Shorty" Leenderts on Dec. 30, 1956. Following their marriage they moved to El Paso, Texas, where her husband was stationed with the U.S. Army at Fort Bliss. After her husband was discharged from the Army they moved back to Minnesota and settled near Hills where they have farmed together for the past 31 years. She took an active part in the farming operation and was well known for hauling crops into the elevator along with operating all the various farm implements. She was also an accomplished cook and baker. She has been a certified nurses' aide at Tuff Memorial Home in Hills for the past 18 years.
Mrs. Leenderts was an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Luverne and held many church offices. She was a member of the Anchor Group at church for 32 years. She was also a member of an April Fools Club made up of couples all married about the same time. Mrs. Leenderts was a leader of the Blue Ribbon 4-H Club and an active contributor to the 4-H program in Rock County. In 1982 she was honored as Rock County Mother of the Year, and the Leenderts family was honored in 1980 as Rock County Farm Family of the Year. In her leisure time she was active in two bowling leagues.
Survivors include her husband, Leonard "Shorty" Leenderts, Hills; four children, nine grandchildren, and one great-grandson. The children and their families are Alan "Al" (Bonnie) Leenderts, Hills, and their children, Aric (RaeLyn) Leenderts and Tracee (Jerrad) Brouwer and their son, Grant; Lori (Tor) Boen and their children. Michael, Daniel and Timothy, Luverne; Kristie (Peter) Jessen and their children, Jessica, Ashley and Matthew, Luverne; David (Dawn) Leenderts and their son, Dawson, Hills. Also surviving are two brothers, Lloyd (Arlene) Reemts, Valley Springs, S.D., and Larry (Nancy) Reemts, Jefferson, S.D.
Mrs. Leenderts was preceded in death by her parents.
Roste Funeral Home, Hills, was in charge of arrangements.