Leonard Earl Goemaat
Leonard Earl Goemaat
Leonard Earl Goemaat
May 20, 1924 – May 16, 2015
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 90
Served With Honor ~ United States Military Veteran
Leonard Earl Goemaat, 90, of Oskaloosa died Saturday, May 16, 2015, at the MHP Hospital in Oskaloosa. He was born May 20, 1924, near Harrison, South Dakota, the son of John and Winifred Van Woerkom Goemaat.
Leonard graduated from New Sharon High School with the class of 1942. He then furthered his education by taking classes on agriculture.
Leonard served in the United States Army during WWII from April 21, 1943 until his honorable discharge November 12, 1945. Leonard was a member of the 17th Airborne Glider Troopers. He was 1st Scout as his unit hit counter attack at the Battle of the Bulge. He was also in the Siege of Bastone and they glided over the Rhine River on ‘D’ Day. He was injured in battle and was awarded a Purple Heart.
Following his discharge, Leonard returned to Iowa and started farming near Rose Hill. On February 14, 1948, he was united in marriage to Geneva Stout at the Central Reformed Church in Oskaloosa. To this union four children were born: Connie, Tom, Cathy and Steve. After a short time on the farm, the family moved to Oskaloosa and Leonard went to work at Maytag in Newton. He retired from there in 1987, after 30 years of service. Leonard had also been to auctioneering school, earlier in life, so he did call a few auctions throughout the years.
Leonard enjoyed fishing, traveling, and wintering in Texas and Florida. Leonard took great pride in his big garden, he enjoyed raising and harvesting his own fruits and vegetables. He delighted in spending time with his family. Leonard’s faith in Jesus Christ was the center of his life.
Leonard was a member of the Central Reformed Church in Oskaloosa where he served on the consistory both as an elder and a deacon. He was also a member of the D.A.V.
His family includes his wife of over 67 years, Geneva Goemaat of Oskaloosa; two daughters and their husbands: Connie (& Juan) Jimenez of Aurora, Colorado and Cathy (& Jim) Martin of Steven’s Point, Wisconsin; a son and his wife, Steve (& Shirley) Goemaat of New Sharon; a daughter in law, Terese Goemaat of Ottumwa; nine grandchildren: Angie Goemaat, Rashel Davidson, Isaiah Goemaat, Benjamin Martin, Jenny Davis, Holly Verhoef, Heather Malone, Jessica Jiminez and Nicole Jimenez; seven great grandchildren, with one on the way; and many nieces and nephews.
Leonard was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Tom Goemaat; four brothers: Ed, John and Jake Goemaat, and another in infancy; and four sisters: Ardith DeVries, Daisy Molenburg, Anna Mae Van Duren, and Bessie Menning.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 21, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. in the Central Reformed Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend Jon Nelson officiating.
A family prayer service will be held at 10:15 Thursday morning in the basement of the church.
Graveside Military Rites will be given by members of the Oskaloosa American Legion and V.F.W.
Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Visitation will begin Wednesday morning after 11 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 5-7 Wednesday evening to greet friends and relatives.
Memorials may be made to the Mahaska County Honor Guard or Central Reformed Church.
