Leona Eshuis

Dedicated wife and mother, Leona Eshuis went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, May 29 at the age of 103.

Leona  is remembered as being very frank, a joy to be with, and loved to be surrounded by family.

Leona was born in Primghar, Iowa on Dec. 7, 1918 to parents Sam and Minnie (Kuiper) Mellema.

She completed the eighth grade.

Leona married Herman Eshuis in Zillah, Washington on April 17, 1941. In her younger years she picked apples, worked at Draper Valley Chicken Farms and plucked chickens.

Leona and Herman lived in Sibley, Iowa; Zillah, Washington; as well as Ferndale before finally settling in Lynden.

She enjoyed motherhood, was a devout Christian and raised 10 kids.

Leona is survived by her children Lois Velthuizen of Lynden, Gary Eshuis (Linda) of Ferndale, Al Eshuis (Darlene) of Lynden, John Eshuis (Linda) of Lynden, Dean Eshuis of Lynden; 18 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and 18 great-great-grandchildren.

She will be greatly missed by her brother Warren Mellema.

Leona is preceded in death by her beloved husband Herman Eshuis, children Jim Eshuis, Diane Matney (Jim), Judy Spence (Ed), Kathleen Eshuis, Richard Eshuis; son in law Tony Velthuizen; and siblings Clarence Mellema, Stanley Mellema, Gertrude Bosma, Jeanette Davids, Dorothy Van Dyk, Sid Mellema, John Mellema, and Ken Mellema.

The memorial service was on June 4 at Second Christian Reformed Church, Lynden. Interment preceded in Monumenta Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.