Leo Fynaardt
Leo Fynaardt
February 21, 1934 – April 29, 2011
Oskaloosa, Iowa
Visitation: will begin at 11:00 a.m., Monday morning, May 02, 2011 at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel; the family will be at the funeral chapel from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. to greet visitors.
Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m., Tuesday morning, May 03, 2011 at Peoria Christian Reformed Church in Peoria, Iowa with Pastor Tom Pettinga officiating. A family prayer service will precede the funeral at 10:15 a.m. in the church basement.
Interment: Forest Cemetery with Military Honors by the Harry L. Anderson Post #34 of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2237 and Disabled American Veterans Post #21.
Leo passed away Friday morning at the Mahaska Hospice Serenity House at the age of 77 years, 2 months and 8 days.
Leo G. Fynaardt, son of Tunis and Jacoba “Cobie” Henrietta Rozenboom Fynaardt, was born February 21, 1934 in Mahaska County at the home of his parents. He and his identical twin brother, Leland, were the first born. The family lived on a farm south of Oskaloosa and Leo attended country school through 6th grade. Leo began the 7th grade at the newly opened Oskaloosa Christian School. In March of that year the family moved to a farm northwest of New Sharon and Leo transferred to the Peoria Christian School where he graduated from eighth grade. He continued his education at North Mahaska High School. Leo was baptized in the Oskaloosa Christian Reformed Church and made his profession of faith at the Peoria Christian Reformed Church on May 30, 1954. Leo served in the United States Navy from March 21, 1956 to October 14, 1957, during which time he served on the USS John Hood. He was united in marriage to Dona Zimmer at Peoria Christian Reformed Church on June 10, 1958. They began their life together on a farm northwest of New Sharon, just southeast of his parents’ farm. To this union four children were born: Karen Ann, Phyllis Jean, Jerry Lee and Keith Edward. They lived and worked on the farm for 40 years, and in 1997 they moved to their present home on Lynndale Road in Oskaloosa. Leo’s family and his faith were most important in his life. He was active in his church and served on its board as well as serving on the board at the Peoria Christian School and the Taintor Savings Bank Board. Leo enjoyed restoring antique Allis Chalmers tractors and served on the Oskaloosa Antique Tractor Committee. He was presently serving as chairman of the local F.S.A. Committee. Leo also enjoyed traveling and he and Dona were able to travel to several foreign countries. Besides his parents, Tunis and Cobie, Leo was preceded in death by his parents-in-law, George and Ann Zimmer; a brother-in-law, Allen Van Zee and a sister-in-law, Joyce Beyer.
His family includes his beloved wife, Dona of Oskaloosa; two daughters: Karen (Leonard) Van Drunen of Grand Rapids, MI; Phyllis (Brent) Stam of Oskaloosa; two sons, Jerry (Judy) Fynaardt of New Sharon and Keith (Tamara) Fynaardt of Alton, IA; thirteen grandchildren: Lucas (Rachel) Van Drunen, Katie (Geoff) Kraker, Joseph and Peter Van Drunen, Emily (Brady) Huffman, Andrew and Elizabeth Stam, and Mitchell, Alex, Caleb, Kyle, Kitrick and Gideon Fynaardt; three brothers: Leland (Edna) Fynaardt of Sully, Iowa; Kenneth (Marge) Fynaardt of Pella, Iowa and Melvin (Carol) Fynaardt of New Sharon, Iowa; and a sister, Carolyn (Bill Heethuis) Van Zee-Heethuis of Caledonia, MI.
Besides his parents, Tunis and Cobie, Leo was preceded in death by his parents-in-law, George and Ann Zimmer; a brother-in-law, Allen Van Zee and a sister-in-law, Joyce Beyer.
Memorial contributions may be made to Peoria Christian School or CRWRC.
Source: GVL Funeral Chapel
