Leota Katherine Boat Van Zante, daughter of Andrew H. and Ella (Roorda) Boat, was born February 7, 1921, near Pella, Iowa. She passed away early Thursday morning, November 29, 2007, at the Pella Regional Health Center at the age of eighty-six years, nine months, and two days.

Leota attended the Bunker Hill Country School, graduating from the eighth grade. Her favorite childhood hobbies were drawing pictures of horses and participating in plays and skits at her country school. Leota worked for her future husband's aunt as a housekeeper prior to her marriage.

On September 11, 1941, Leota was united in marriage with Hessel C. Van Zante at the Otley Reformed Church parsonage. To this union five children were born: Delwin, Ella, Cynthia, Laurel, and Lenora.

Hessel and Leota lived on a Century Farm in the Otley area all their married life. She was an active member of the Otley Reformed Church. She was also a member of Dorcas Circle where she formerly served as president, secretary, and treasurer.

Leota loved her Lord, her family, the farm, and all of God's Creation. She enjoyed baking, especially homemade bread, crocheting, working in her flower and vegetable garden, and tending to her chickens. In the spring of 2006 she moved to Vriendschap Village in Pella.

She is survived by her two sons: Delwin (Nancy) Van Zante, Laurel (Patti) Van Zante both of Otley; three daughters: Ella (Larry) Kool, Cynthia (Alvin) Van Zee, Lenora (Larry) Schut all of Pella; twelve grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; her sister: Loretta Van Zee and her husband Clarence; and two sisters-in-law: Marie (Mrs. Marion) Boat and Alta Marie (Mrs. Raymond) Vander Linden.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her parents-in-law: Anthonie and Marie Van Zante; her husband Hessel in 2004; an infant brother, Robert Boat; three brothers: Marion, Ernest, and Floyd Boat; her brothers-in-law, Raymond Vander Linden and Dick Uitermarkt; her sister: Ethel (Mrs. Dick) Uitermarkt; three sisters-in-law: Dorothy (Mrs. Ernest) Boat, Evelyn (Mrs. Ernest) Boat, Avis (Mrs. Floyd) Boat; and two infant granddaughters, Marsha and Linda Kool.

FUNERAL SERVICES

10:30 A.M., Monday, December 3, 2007
Otley Reformed Church
Otley, Iowa

VISITATION

After 10:00 A.M., Sunday, December 2, 2007
Pella Garden Chapel Funeral Home
Family will be present 2:00-4:00 P.M., Sunday

MEMORIALS

Otley Reformed Church Memorial Fund
Hospice of Pella Comfort House