Cover photo for Leon Koele's Obituary
Leon Koele Profile Photo
1937 Leon 2018

Leon Koele

October 7, 1937 — July 12, 2018

IN LOVING MEMORY OF
LEON H. KOELE

BORN
October 7, 1937
Rural Hull, Iowa

PASSED AWAY
July 12, 2018
Sheldon, Iowa

CELEBRATION OF LIFE
10:30 A.M. Thursday, July 19, 2018
First Reformed Church; Sheldon, Iowa
Rev. Dave Van Kley ~ Officiating

Visitation will be after 4 P.M.
on Wednesday, July 18, 2018
with family present from 5 - 7 P.M
at Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon

MUSIC
“He Giveth More Grace/Amazing Grace”
Sung by: Pastor Dave Van Kley
“I’ll Fly Away”
Sung by: Ken Ven Huizen, Ron Riepma & Gene Bomgaars
“We Shall Behold Him”
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS
“Blessed Assurance”
“This Is My Father’s World”
Pianist: Jody Van Kley
Organist: Norma Snyder Jones

HONORARY CASKET BEARERS
Loren Bouma
Harwin Mouw
Jim Koele
Perry Raman
Doug Koele
Michael Vander Schaaf
Dean Koele

CASKET BEARERS
Carey Koele
Carl Koele
Christian Koele
Evan Koele
Jett Koele
Kolten Koele
Cruz Koele
Nathan Koele

FINAL RESTING PLACE
Graveside service will be
at 9:15 A.M. on Thursday, July 19
at Hope Cemetery in Hull.

After today’s service, relatives and friends are invited
to join the family in the fellowship hall of the church.

Arrangements are under the care of the
Vander Ploeg Funeral Home; Sheldon, Iowa.

LEON H. KOELE

On July 12, 2018, Leon Harvey Koele passed away into Jesus’ presence at the age of 80. Leon was born on October 7, 1937 in rural Hull, Iowa to Arie and Henrietta (Heemskerk) Koele. Leon is survived by his wife Evelyn of 61 years, their 2 sons and 5 grandsons; Carey and his wife, Kimberly (Christian and Evan) of Holland, Michigan and Carl and his wife, Raquel (Jett, Kolten and Cruz) of Haslet, Texas. Leon is also survived by his sister, Marilyn (Merrill) Vander Schaaf of Pattonville, Texas, 2 sisters-in-law, Judy Koele of Pella, Iowa and Becky Koele of Aurora, Colorado, numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Leon was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Arnie and Calvin and 3 infant children.
Leon graduated from Hull High School in 1956 and went on to obtain his Associates Degree from Northwest Business College in Sioux City, Iowa. Upon graduation, Leon began working for Fredrickson Grain Company in Meriden, Iowa as a bookkeeper. Shortly thereafter, Leon met the love of his life, Evelyn after a cruising in his car on a summer evening in Carmel, Iowa. Leon was united in marriage to Evelyn Horstman on June 21, 1957 in Carmel, Iowa and then settled in Meriden, Iowa. In June of 1965, Leon purchased an accounting business in Sheldon where they subsequently moved and reside to this day.
Leon was a faithful servant of the Lord and longtime member of Bethel Reformed Church. He served in many roles including elder, deacon, treasurer and Sunday school teacher. Leon also served as the treasurer of the East Sioux Classis. In addition, Leon was member of the Iowa Board of Accountants, member of the Kiwanis Club, the Lions Club, Sky Hi Flyers and the Sheldon National Guard.
Leon sold and retired from his accounting practice in 2007. In retirement, Leon and Evelyn enjoyed many trips in their motor home with many visits to Michigan and Arizona to see the grandchildren. Leon especially enjoyed watching his grandchildren grow and attended many school activities and sporting events when visiting. Leon and his sweetheart Evelyn also took the motorhome to Alaska for a several week vacation. This was one of Leon’s favorite trips with so many wonders to see and things to do. He often talked about going back. Leon also had his pilot’s license and owned several private planes in his lifetime. He especially enjoyed flying to different parts of the Midwest for fly-in breakfasts and traveling to Oshkosh for the annual air show and has passed his love of flying onto his children and grandchildren.



"No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared
for those who love him."
1st Corinthians 2:9
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Leon Koele, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Wednesday, July 18, 2018

4:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)

Vander Ploeg Funeral Home - Sheldon

724 Sixth Avenue , Sheldon, IA 51201

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Service

Thursday, July 19, 2018

10:30 - 11:15 am (Central time)

First Reformed Church

1101 7th St., Sheldon, IA 51201

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Burial

Hope Cemetery

IA

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