Deanna Jean Ledeboer Leenstra, age 75

Richmond
January 27, 1944 - April 11, 2019

Deanna Jean Ledeboer Leenstra, age 75, continued her walk with the Lord into His presence at 12:15 a.m. on April 11, 2019 at her home in Richmond, Minnesota. 

Deanna was born to Lewis and Grace Ledeboer at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar, Minnesota on January 27, 1944 and was raised on the family farm in Roseland, Minnesota.  Deanna attended and graduated from Central Minnesota Christian School (CMCS) in Prinsburg. She married Andy Leenstra on August 27, 1965 and graduated magna cum laude from Dordt College in 1966 with a degree in Mathematics. She taught at CMCS until they deployed to Germany where their son Jim was born in 1971, and then again upon returning to Prinsburg in 1972.  In 1978, her long-awaited daughter Joni was born. Deanna graduated from Willmar Technical College as a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1981 and went to work at Rice Memorial Hospital in the Emergency Room and on the Medical-Surgical floor.  In 1985, she graduated from Willmar Community College with her Associate’s Degree in Nursing and continued to work at Rice Memorial as an R.N. in the ICU.  From 1986 to 1995, she taught in the L.P.N. program at Willmar Technical College.  From 1993 to 2013, she worked in the mental health unit at Rice.  This work led her to obtain a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, and she became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in 1999.  Over the years, she co-counseled numerous couples and individuals with Andy, helping them connect with God and experience His healing for their relationships.

Deanna loved life and had many interests.  She enjoyed journaling her conversations with God. She was a voracious reader and history buff. Having grown up on the farm, she was an avid gardener and was often planning the next flower or vegetable box.  She nurtured deep friendships and opened her heart to mentoring many women.  She used her words thoughtfully and well and her wisdom was sought often by those whom she loved.  She cared deeply for her children and grandchildren, and  frequently connected with them by phone or FaceTime.

She cherished her relationships with her brother Ken Ledeboer and sister-in-law Mary and their children Keri (and Jonn Pisapia, and their children Gannon and Addison), Michael (and Beth, and kids Emily and Grace), and Jeff (and Nicole, and their children Ava and James).  She also loved Andy’s many brothers and sisters including Simon and Henny Leenstra, Henny and Ben Senneker, Pearl and Jake Tjepkema. Fred and Ida Leenstra, Henry and Tina Leenstra, Gerald and Tina Oevering, Bill and Karen Leenstra, Ray and Gwen Leenstra and all of the many Leenstra nephews and nieces.  She is survived by her husband, Andy; her son Jim (Bridget) and daughter Joni Jarett;  Darrel (Julie) Rich who considered her a mother to him;  her grandchildren Madeleine and Sam Leenstra; Andrew, Noah, and Janey Jarett; and Isaiah, CJ, Faith, Jenna, and James Rich.    

A Celebration of Life will be held at Willmar Assembly of God Church in Willmar, Minnesota at 2:00pm on May 4, 2019.   Preceding the service there will be time to visit the family starting at 1:00 pm at the church, and the service will be followed by a time of fellowship with friends.  She will be buried next to her parents at the Holland Township Cemetery in Prinsburg, Minnesota in the evening.