Obituary for Leota Toom
A Memorial Service will be held at on Monday, July 27, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at
The Cottages.
The visitation will be held in conjunction with the memorial service at The Cottages
For those desiring, memorials may be designated for the First Baptist Church in Pella, Iowa.
Leota Bernita Van Etten was born at Warren Depot, Lee County, Iowa on Christmas Day in 1920. Her parents, Elisha Wheat and Ella Ott Van Etten, were farming at this time. Leota attended a one room schoolhouse at Warren School through the 5th grade. The family then moved to Pulaski, Davis County, Iowa and then to Milton, Van Buren County, Iowa where Leota completed 2 years of high school. Subsequently the family moved to Pella, Iowa where she graduated from Pella High School in 1938. Following her graduation Leota worked at the Rolscreen Company in Pella for 2 years and during that time she met John Jesse Toom. Leota and John were united in marriage in April of 1941. Following their marriage they moved to Portland, Oregon, Los Angeles, California, and Des Moines, Iowa. Following the birth of their first child, Paul Marvin, in April, 1942, they moved back to Pella, Iowa where John was employed at the Rolscreen Company on a defense contract. Because of his employment status with the defense contract he was granted a temporary deferment from the armed services and during this time their second child, Wanda Joyce, was born. In the spring of 1944, the Rolscreen Company lost its defense contract and John was drafted. Leota and her two small children then moved to Fairfield, Iowa where they lived with her parents. Following the war the family purchased their first house and moved to Oskaloosa, Iowa in the summer of 1948. They lived there for 6 years before moving back to Pella in December of 1954 when their third child, Jeanette Lee, was born. Unfortunately at this time Leota contacted the Polio virus, a disease which permanently weakened one of her legs. Leota and John purchased a home which became their family home in Pella and it was here their three children completed their educations and Leota and John resided for 56 years.
Leota was always a creative person. While living in Oskaloosa, Leota decorated cakes which were frequently exhibited at the Mahaska County Fair and after moving to Pella, she enjoyed working with ceramics. She also learned the art of making cathedral quilts and a variety of other quilts and wall hangings. She knitted sweaters for a number of her family and friends, and as each of her seven grandchildren were born she made each one of them a needlepoint Christmas stocking and as they grew an annual Christmas ornament collection. A number of the pieces she created are still exhibited by her family members. In August, 2011 Leota became a resident in the Long Term Care Unit at the Pella Regional Health Center in Pella. On Monday evening, July 6, 2015, she passed away in Gelderland at The Cottages in Pella at the age of 94 years. She is survived by her husband of 74 years, John Toom, a resident in Gelderland at The Cottages; their three children, seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. They and their families are: Paul and Diane Toom of Springfield, Missouri; Wanda (Jim) Russe of Houston, Texas; Jeanette and Gary Van Wyk of Pella, Iowa. Also surviving are the following sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Rose (Delbert) Alexander of Illinois, Helen (Ralph) Vander Beek of Johnston, Iowa Dorothy and Ronald Grandia of Newton, Iowa, Robert and Kathy Toom of Pella, David and Linda Toom of Ohio, and Norma (Donald) Toom of Dubuque, Iowa. Leota was preceded in death by her sons-in-law and a grandson-in-law, Brian Sowles; her parents, Elisha and Ella Van Etten; her parents-in-law, Marion and Mae Wise Toom; her only sibling, her brother, Leo Van Etten and his wife, Ruth; and the following brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Earl and Jean Toom, Donald Toom, Marion Toom, Jr and Joan, Delbert Alexander, Ralph Vander Beek, and Lola (David) Toom . Leota was a member of the First Bapitst Church in Pella, Iowa; and gave of her time generously volunteering at The Historical Village during Pella’s Tulip Time.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Leota Toom please visit our Sympathy Store.
A Memorial Service will be held at on Monday, July 27, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at
The Cottages.
The visitation will be held in conjunction with the memorial service at The Cottages
For those desiring, memorials may be designated for the First Baptist Church in Pella, Iowa.
Leota Bernita Van Etten was born at Warren Depot, Lee County, Iowa on Christmas Day in 1920. Her parents, Elisha Wheat and Ella Ott Van Etten, were farming at this time. Leota attended a one room schoolhouse at Warren School through the 5th grade. The family then moved to Pulaski, Davis County, Iowa and then to Milton, Van Buren County, Iowa where Leota completed 2 years of high school. Subsequently the family moved to Pella, Iowa where she graduated from Pella High School in 1938. Following her graduation Leota worked at the Rolscreen Company in Pella for 2 years and during that time she met John Jesse Toom. Leota and John were united in marriage in April of 1941. Following their marriage they moved to Portland, Oregon, Los Angeles, California, and Des Moines, Iowa. Following the birth of their first child, Paul Marvin, in April, 1942, they moved back to Pella, Iowa where John was employed at the Rolscreen Company on a defense contract. Because of his employment status with the defense contract he was granted a temporary deferment from the armed services and during this time their second child, Wanda Joyce, was born. In the spring of 1944, the Rolscreen Company lost its defense contract and John was drafted. Leota and her two small children then moved to Fairfield, Iowa where they lived with her parents. Following the war the family purchased their first house and moved to Oskaloosa, Iowa in the summer of 1948. They lived there for 6 years before moving back to Pella in December of 1954 when their third child, Jeanette Lee, was born. Unfortunately at this time Leota contacted the Polio virus, a disease which permanently weakened one of her legs. Leota and John purchased a home which became their family home in Pella and it was here their three children completed their educations and Leota and John resided for 56 years.
Leota was always a creative person. While living in Oskaloosa, Leota decorated cakes which were frequently exhibited at the Mahaska County Fair and after moving to Pella, she enjoyed working with ceramics. She also learned the art of making cathedral quilts and a variety of other quilts and wall hangings. She knitted sweaters for a number of her family and friends, and as each of her seven grandchildren were born she made each one of them a needlepoint Christmas stocking and as they grew an annual Christmas ornament collection. A number of the pieces she created are still exhibited by her family members. In August, 2011 Leota became a resident in the Long Term Care Unit at the Pella Regional Health Center in Pella. On Monday evening, July 6, 2015, she passed away in Gelderland at The Cottages in Pella at the age of 94 years. She is survived by her husband of 74 years, John Toom, a resident in Gelderland at The Cottages; their three children, seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. They and their families are: Paul and Diane Toom of Springfield, Missouri; Wanda (Jim) Russe of Houston, Texas; Jeanette and Gary Van Wyk of Pella, Iowa. Also surviving are the following sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Rose (Delbert) Alexander of Illinois, Helen (Ralph) Vander Beek of Johnston, Iowa Dorothy and Ronald Grandia of Newton, Iowa, Robert and Kathy Toom of Pella, David and Linda Toom of Ohio, and Norma (Donald) Toom of Dubuque, Iowa. Leota was preceded in death by her sons-in-law and a grandson-in-law, Brian Sowles; her parents, Elisha and Ella Van Etten; her parents-in-law, Marion and Mae Wise Toom; her only sibling, her brother, Leo Van Etten and his wife, Ruth; and the following brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Earl and Jean Toom, Donald Toom, Marion Toom, Jr and Joan, Delbert Alexander, Ralph Vander Beek, and Lola (David) Toom . Leota was a member of the First Bapitst Church in Pella, Iowa; and gave of her time generously volunteering at The Historical Village during Pella’s Tulip Time.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Leota Toom please visit our Sympathy Store.
Obituary for Leota Toom
A Memorial Service will be held at on Monday, July 27, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at
The Cottages.
The visitation will be held in conjunction with the memorial service at The Cottages
For those desiring, memorials may be designated for the First Baptist Church in Pella, Iowa.
Leota Bernita Van Etten was born at Warren Depot, Lee County, Iowa on Christmas Day in 1920. Her parents, Elisha Wheat and Ella Ott Van Etten, were farming at this time. Leota attended a one room schoolhouse at Warren School through the 5th grade. The family then moved to Pulaski, Davis County, Iowa and then to Milton, Van Buren County, Iowa where Leota completed 2 years of high school. Subsequently the family moved to Pella, Iowa where she graduated from Pella High School in 1938. Following her graduation Leota worked at the Rolscreen Company in Pella for 2 years and during that time she met John Jesse Toom. Leota and John were united in marriage in April of 1941. Following their marriage they moved to Portland, Oregon, Los Angeles, California, and Des Moines, Iowa. Following the birth of their first child, Paul Marvin, in April, 1942, they moved back to Pella, Iowa where John was employed at the Rolscreen Company on a defense contract. Because of his employment status with the defense contract he was granted a temporary deferment from the armed services and during this time their second child, Wanda Joyce, was born. In the spring of 1944, the Rolscreen Company lost its defense contract and John was drafted. Leota and her two small children then moved to Fairfield, Iowa where they lived with her parents. Following the war the family purchased their first house and moved to Oskaloosa, Iowa in the summer of 1948. They lived there for 6 years before moving back to Pella in December of 1954 when their third child, Jeanette Lee, was born. Unfortunately at this time Leota contacted the Polio virus, a disease which permanently weakened one of her legs. Leota and John purchased a home which became their family home in Pella and it was here their three children completed their educations and Leota and John resided for 56 years.
Leota was always a creative person. While living in Oskaloosa, Leota decorated cakes which were frequently exhibited at the Mahaska County Fair and after moving to Pella, she enjoyed working with ceramics. She also learned the art of making cathedral quilts and a variety of other quilts and wall hangings. She knitted sweaters for a number of her family and friends, and as each of her seven grandchildren were born she made each one of them a needlepoint Christmas stocking and as they grew an annual Christmas ornament collection. A number of the pieces she created are still exhibited by her family members. In August, 2011 Leota became a resident in the Long Term Care Unit at the Pella Regional Health Center in Pella. On Monday evening, July 6, 2015, she passed away in Gelderland at The Cottages in Pella at the age of 94 years. She is survived by her husband of 74 years, John Toom, a resident in Gelderland at The Cottages; their three children, seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. They and their families are: Paul and Diane Toom of Springfield, Missouri; Wanda (Jim) Russe of Houston, Texas; Jeanette and Gary Van Wyk of Pella, Iowa. Also surviving are the following sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Rose (Delbert) Alexander of Illinois, Helen (Ralph) Vander Beek of Johnston, Iowa Dorothy and Ronald Grandia of Newton, Iowa, Robert and Kathy Toom of Pella, David and Linda Toom of Ohio, and Norma (Donald) Toom of Dubuque, Iowa. Leota was preceded in death by her sons-in-law and a grandson-in-law, Brian Sowles; her parents, Elisha and Ella Van Etten; her parents-in-law, Marion and Mae Wise Toom; her only sibling, her brother, Leo Van Etten and his wife, Ruth; and the following brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Earl and Jean Toom, Donald Toom, Marion Toom, Jr and Joan, Delbert Alexander, Ralph Vander Beek, and Lola (David) Toom . Leota was a member of the First Bapitst Church in Pella, Iowa; and gave of her time generously volunteering at The Historical Village during Pella’s Tulip Time.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Leota Toom please visit our Sympathy Store.
A Memorial Service will be held at on Monday, July 27, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at
The Cottages.
The visitation will be held in conjunction with the memorial service at The Cottages
For those desiring, memorials may be designated for the First Baptist Church in Pella, Iowa.
Leota Bernita Van Etten was born at Warren Depot, Lee County, Iowa on Christmas Day in 1920. Her parents, Elisha Wheat and Ella Ott Van Etten, were farming at this time. Leota attended a one room schoolhouse at Warren School through the 5th grade. The family then moved to Pulaski, Davis County, Iowa and then to Milton, Van Buren County, Iowa where Leota completed 2 years of high school. Subsequently the family moved to Pella, Iowa where she graduated from Pella High School in 1938. Following her graduation Leota worked at the Rolscreen Company in Pella for 2 years and during that time she met John Jesse Toom. Leota and John were united in marriage in April of 1941. Following their marriage they moved to Portland, Oregon, Los Angeles, California, and Des Moines, Iowa. Following the birth of their first child, Paul Marvin, in April, 1942, they moved back to Pella, Iowa where John was employed at the Rolscreen Company on a defense contract. Because of his employment status with the defense contract he was granted a temporary deferment from the armed services and during this time their second child, Wanda Joyce, was born. In the spring of 1944, the Rolscreen Company lost its defense contract and John was drafted. Leota and her two small children then moved to Fairfield, Iowa where they lived with her parents. Following the war the family purchased their first house and moved to Oskaloosa, Iowa in the summer of 1948. They lived there for 6 years before moving back to Pella in December of 1954 when their third child, Jeanette Lee, was born. Unfortunately at this time Leota contacted the Polio virus, a disease which permanently weakened one of her legs. Leota and John purchased a home which became their family home in Pella and it was here their three children completed their educations and Leota and John resided for 56 years.
Leota was always a creative person. While living in Oskaloosa, Leota decorated cakes which were frequently exhibited at the Mahaska County Fair and after moving to Pella, she enjoyed working with ceramics. She also learned the art of making cathedral quilts and a variety of other quilts and wall hangings. She knitted sweaters for a number of her family and friends, and as each of her seven grandchildren were born she made each one of them a needlepoint Christmas stocking and as they grew an annual Christmas ornament collection. A number of the pieces she created are still exhibited by her family members. In August, 2011 Leota became a resident in the Long Term Care Unit at the Pella Regional Health Center in Pella. On Monday evening, July 6, 2015, she passed away in Gelderland at The Cottages in Pella at the age of 94 years. She is survived by her husband of 74 years, John Toom, a resident in Gelderland at The Cottages; their three children, seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. They and their families are: Paul and Diane Toom of Springfield, Missouri; Wanda (Jim) Russe of Houston, Texas; Jeanette and Gary Van Wyk of Pella, Iowa. Also surviving are the following sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Rose (Delbert) Alexander of Illinois, Helen (Ralph) Vander Beek of Johnston, Iowa Dorothy and Ronald Grandia of Newton, Iowa, Robert and Kathy Toom of Pella, David and Linda Toom of Ohio, and Norma (Donald) Toom of Dubuque, Iowa. Leota was preceded in death by her sons-in-law and a grandson-in-law, Brian Sowles; her parents, Elisha and Ella Van Etten; her parents-in-law, Marion and Mae Wise Toom; her only sibling, her brother, Leo Van Etten and his wife, Ruth; and the following brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Earl and Jean Toom, Donald Toom, Marion Toom, Jr and Joan, Delbert Alexander, Ralph Vander Beek, and Lola (David) Toom . Leota was a member of the First Bapitst Church in Pella, Iowa; and gave of her time generously volunteering at The Historical Village during Pella’s Tulip Time.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Leota Toom please visit our Sympathy Store.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
