Leona Ruth Nunnikhoven was born August 8, 1934, to Floris and Marie (Fynaardt) Vander Schaaf, in Mahaska County, Iowa. She grew up on the family farm with three sisters and two brothers. She attended the Country Red School through 8th Grade. As a young gal she worked for several different families doing housework and helping when they had new babies. She also helped her married sisters and helped on the farm.

On January 5, 1950, Martin "winked" at Leona Vander Schaaf, and their story began.  A few weeks later, Martin took Leona to Catechism and they began dating.  Martin was inducted into the US Army on August 9, 1951 so the letters began everyday back and forth. When Martin returned from Korea on a 30-day furlough, they were married on November 6, 1952.  They began their married life in Colorado Springs, where Martin finished his service. Leona was a nanny for a five-year-old during this time. When they returned home, they lived in Wright, Iowa, and in 1954, they rented a farm southeast of Pella where all four children, David Eugene, Ronald Dean, Diane Ruth, and Michael Ray, were born.  They loved life on the farm and worked hard raising their children, milking cows, and raising chickens, sheep, and hogs.  In 1969, Martin and Leona bought their own farm northeast of Pella where they lived for forty-two years until they moved into the Pella Manor in 2011.

Leona began working at the Dutch Buffet in 1972, and in 1975 worked at Hilltop North until 2008.  For 33 years she did the laundry there. She loved her work and the residents she served. Leona loved taking care of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She even became a great-great-grandma this past year.

Martin and Leona were faithful members of the (Second Christian Reformed) Cornerstone Church in Pella since 1954.  Leona was part of Christian Fellowship Hour, Perk-Up and always willing to cook or bake for activities at church. She enjoyed going to Cary, Mississippi, for several years with her church where she cooked for the group.

She loved to crochet baby blankets and tried to give one to every baby in her church. She dearly loved her church family, young and old, and they loved her. She was so happy to see the new church one time.

Leona became a widow on December 6, 2015. Life became different for her. She loved living at the Manor and had friends around her. Then in October 2020, she broke her leg which sent her to The Cottages for skilled care. A few months later she decided (with encouragement) that she needed to stay there.  She was very content at The Cottages and loved the staff dearly.

Leona was a special daughter, wife, Mom, Grandma, sister, neighbor, and friend. She was best known for her famous cinnamon rolls and always had cookies in the freezer.

Leona's original family consists of (Marjorie) and (Marius) Van Mersbergen, (Harriet) and (Abe) Nunnikhoven, (Marvin) and (Tressa) Vander Schaaf, (Seymour Vander Schaaf) and Anita and Randy Timm, and (Cynthia) "Tinney" and (Henry) Langstraat, Jr., and an infant sister. Leona is also survived by many special nieces and nephews.

Martin's original family consists of (Abraham) and Esther, (Marvin) and (Dorothy),  (Wilbur) and Dorothy, Anthony, Jr. and (Bertha)  JoAnn,  Gerald (Delores) and friend Betty and Merle and Erma Nunnikhoven.

Leona is survived by her family

David and Judy Nunnikhoven

Eric and Trisha Nunnikhoven

Sydney, Logan, Carter, Allison

Holli and Matt Zieske

Caleb, Megan, Willem, Brenna

Mark Nunnikhoven

Nora

Ron and Judy Nunnikhoven

Isaac and Jessi Nunnikhoven

Mallory, Madison, Toby

Amanda and Chris Lighthiser

Walt, Amelie

Lance and Leann Nunnikhoven

Noah, Landon

Levi and Angie Nunnikhoven

Josina, Lucas, Kaina, Taton

Kyle and Shannon De Bruin

Reagan, Krew

Diane and Rick Van Gorp

Chad Van Gorp

Michael and Tapanga Blom

Bailey Van Gorp

Kinsley

Aren Van Gorp

Jennifer and Dustin Van Wyk

Trevor, Hunter

Chelsea and Aaron Van Wyk

Allie, Alleeah

Mike and Sherryl Nunnikhoven

AJ and Joy Nunnikhoven

Becky Nunnikhoven

Pat and Aubrey Nunnikhoven

James

Mikayla Nunnikhoven

Very special friends, David and Karissa Klyn

Pella Christian Schools
Pella IA 50219

Mobility Worldwide IA (P.E.T.) - Leighton
100 Kirkwood, Pella IA 50219
Web: https://mobilityworldwide.org/affiliates/iowa-leighton/

Newton Christian School
Newton IA