Obituary of Leona Starkenburg

Leona (Jacobsma) Starkenburg, the daughter of Simon and Anna (Van Steenwyke) Jacobsma, was born in Sheldon, IA, on February 9, 1922. She spent her childhood years in the Sheldon and Sibley, IA, areas, and graduated from Sibley High School. She then attended teacher’s college and taught school for a brief time. On May 26, 1941, she was united in marriage to Edward Starkenburg. Together, they farmed near Sheldon, Sibley, May City and finally, Hartley, IA. Besides helping out on the farm, Leona kept busy taking care of the home and their four children, Robert Lee, Sue, Ed and Scott. She later worked for several years as a cook at the Hartley Hospital. Ed and Leona were charter members of the Hartley Christian Reformed Church where Leona played piano and organ for over 50 years. Following the closing of the Hartley CRC, Leona became a member of the First Reformed Church in Sanborn. Music was an integral part of Leona’s life—a passion she shared with her children and grandchildren. She knew so many songs and loved all types of music. She was a wonderful cook and well known for her baked goods. Leona moved to the Prairie View Campus in 2001. It was there that she passed away on November 6, 2011, at the age of 89. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ed, and ten brothers: Otto, Russell, Ernie, Walter, Mike, Alvin, Lynn, Lloyd, Art and Burt, and a sister, Edith. She is survived by her children and their families: Robert Lee (Twyla) of Sioux Falls, SD, Sue Starkenburg of Sibley, IA, Ed (Kim) Starkenburg of Orange City, IA, and Scott (Janet) Starkenburg of Hartley; ten grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren; in-laws, Effie Jacobsma and Anna Mae Hargens, both of Sibley, IA, Marion Jacobsma of Worthington, MN, Lois Jacobsma of Adel, IA, Geneva Bonnema of Wilmar, MN, Marie Starkenburg of Worthington, MN, and Richard and Effie Starkenburg of Sibley, IA. In loving memory of Leona Starkenburg Born ~ February 9, 1922 Died ~ November 6, 2011 Age ~ 89 years 8 months 27 days Funeral service 2:00 p.m. ~ Wednesday, November 9, 2011 First Reformed Church Sanborn, Iowa Clergy ~ Pastor Gary Hegstad Organist ~ Carol Wiekamp Special Music “When the Roll is Called up Yonder” Kelly Jacobsma, trumpet Ben Jacobsma, organ Congregational Singing “How Great Thou Art” #147 “This is My Father’s World” #143 “Wonderful Grace of Jesus” #338 Pallbearers (Leona’s grandchildren) Keith Starkenburg Shawn Starkenburg Dan Starkenburg Tamara Cox Melissa Boersma Karin Boersma Tony Boersma Trevor Starkenburg Logan Starkenburg Jordan Starkenburg Ushers Archie Van Ravenswaay John Haack Burial Pleasant View Cemetery Hartley, Iowa Memorials in Leona’s name will be directed to the music department at First Reformed Church.