Leola Jenkins Whitaker, 85, longtime Deming resident entered eternal life on Thursday, August 4, 2011 at The Arbors of Del Rey in Las Cruces surrounded by her family and the loving staff. Leola was born on February 4, 1926 in Fairmount, North Dakota to Frank and Maryanne (Minnehan) Hermes. Leola had four brothers and four sisters. Leola and her twin sister graduated from Fairmount High School in 1944. Leola attended nurses training in St. Paul, MN during World War II. Leola met a handsome sailor, Wayne Jenkins whom she married in January, 1947 in Fairmount, ND. They had three children and farmed and ranched in Wyoming, Montana, and southwest New Mexico. They also worked and traveled in Mexico and South America. They made Deming their home where Wayne died in September of 1978. In October of 1987, Leola and Dr. Leon J. Whitaker were married. They enjoyed long daily walks together and traveling until his death in April of 1997. Leola worked in bookkeeping and accounting for Deming Public Schools and the New Mexico Highway Department. Leola had a servant's heart to help others all her life. Leola volunteered with American Cancer Society for 3 years, Mimbres Hospital Auxiliary for 17 years, and Mimbres Hospice Care for 10 years. Leola was the bookkeeper for the Southwestern New Mexico State Fair for many years. Leola was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church for over 50 years. Leola took many meals and brownies to others throughout her lifetime. Her greatest joys were spending time in her yard and garden with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Leola was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Ray Hermes and Claire Hermes, three sisters, Lee Hafner, Rhoda Holm, and Leora Herding, and her husbands, Wayne Jenkins and Dr. L.J. Whitaker. Leola is survived by two brothers, Gabriel Hermes and his wife, Edna of Breckenridge, MN and Frank Hermes and his wife, Dorothy of Hankinson, ND; one sister, Anne Hedemark of Victoria, MN; three children, Allie Bryant of Deming; Louis Jenkins and his wife, Kay of Deming; Mary Hewitt and her husband, Allan of Sebastian, FL; eight grandchildren, Michelle Coburn and her husband, Sean, Cindy Tovar and her husband, Jorge, Charley Schultz and his wife, Holly, Carrie Rochman and her husband, Adam, Joe Schultz and his wife, Kayla, Jenny Jenkins and Scott Edwards, Bill Jenkins and Donna Bateman, John Jenkins and 14 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be on Friday, August 12, 2011 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Baca's Funeral Chapel where the prayer vigil will begin at 6:00 p.m. Mass of the Resurrection will be on Saturday, August 13, 201l at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church with Fr. Josh Duplissey officiating. Concluding services and interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Charley Schultz, Joe Schultz, Bill Jenkins, John Jenkins, Scott Edwards and Adam Rochman. The family suggests memorial contributions may be made to Alma Feil Hospice, 112 W. Pine St., Deming, NM 88030.