Memorial Service
11:00 A.M., Thursday, March 24, 2011
American Lutheran Church
Castlewood, South Dakota
Rev. William Hamill, Officiating

Memorial Visitation
5PM to 8PM Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at Geise Funeral Chapel in Castlewood.


Leonard W. Bleeker, son of John and Johanna (Ruesink) Bleeker, was born March 9, 1929 at rural Castlewood, South Dakota. He grew up there and received his education in rural school. Leonard began farming and was united in marriage to Jida Heemeyer at Bemis Christian Reformed Church on September 15, 1950. Following their marriage they continued to farm four miles east of Castlewood. Leonard semi-retired in 1984 and they moved into Castlewood but he continued to help on the farm. During his farming years Leonard sold seed corn for Sokota, Agripro and Garst. He entered the Golden Living Center at Arlington, South Dakota on December 6, 2010 and died there on Sunday, March 20, 2011 at the age of 82 years.

He was a member of American Lutheran Church in Castlewood where he sang in the choir. Before its closing, he and Jida were former members of Bemis Christian Reformed Church where he sang, taught Sunday School and served on the Church Board. He also served on the Hamlin Township Board and the Sioux Rural Water Board. He enjoyed bowling, playing pool and cards and traveling.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Jida of Castlewood; their five children, Barbara Carlson and her husband Kenneth of Bethlehem, PA, Robin Bleeker and his wife Becky of Sioux Falls, Gary Bleeker and his wife Nancy of Kirkland, WA, Lorna Nielsen and her husband Larry of Castlewood, Michael Bleeker and his wife Koni of Castlewood; 12 grandchildren, Jeffrey and Daniel Carlson; Ryan, Stacy and Chelsy Bleeker; Sarah (Chris), Jessica and Eric Bleeker; Tyler (Janice), Austin and Shelby Nielsen; and Hiedee Bleeker; four great grandchildren, Talia, Jackson, Madeline and Pressley; three brothers, Harold Bleeker and his wife Ruth of Watertown, SD, Merle Bleeker and his wife Charlo of Clear Lake, SD, Gaylord Bleeker and his wife Shirley of Watertown; two sisters, Marlys West and her husband David of Farmington, MN, Anna Mae Hemmelman of Grand Island, NE; one brother-in-law Robert Heemeyer and his wife Karen of Burnsville, MN; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Leonard was preceded in death by a granddaughter Lacey Nielsen; his parents; and two sisters, Arlene Wollmoth and Agnes Greenfield.