Eleanor Mae Plekker

Plekker, Eleanor Mae (Polly) of Hanford, CA, age 86, graduated to heaven on April 28, 2024. She was born in Everett, WA to Arthur and Margorie (Groot) DeGroot, the oldest of 12 children, and was preceded in death by her parents and brother Charles DeGroot.

Polly loved the Lord and her family, and was loved by many for her humor and kindness. She delighted in nature: hiking on Mt. Baker, gardening, rock hounding, river fishing. She always kept a book to read.

She married William deBoer when 19, and lost him 2 years later to pancreatic cancer.

She then married Pastor Arie C. Leegwater, and for the next 35 years was a home maker who also served church communities with her open smile, doing her duties in a number of parsonages throughout the US and Canada, until Arie’s death in 1995.

Subsequently, Polly married Dr. Robert Plekker (1997-2019). They spent their first years traveling in a motor home, then several years on cruise ships while Bob served as ship’s dentist. In 2013, they moved from Bellingham, WA to Hanford, CA for the sunshine and to be closer to family.

During the final years of her life, she enjoyed visiting with at least one of her sisters daily.

Polly is survived by five children: Patricia deBoer, Kenneth Leegwater, Richard (Darlene) Leegwater, Cynthia Borden, Michael (Dawn) Leegwater, as well as three stepchildren: Deb (Steve) Windemuller, Sue (Bob) Lyzenga, Tammy (Tim) Van Zalen.

She has nine grandchildren: Sarah (Gabriel) Anderson, Jonathan Leegwater, Eleanor (Jason) Leegwater-Richmond, Alexander Borden, William Borden, Alexandra Leegwater, Aaron Leegwater, Allison Leegwater, Anna Lisa Leegwater, as well as ten step-grandchildren: Valerie (Jason) Porter, Kyle (Rachel) Windemuller, Kelsea (Joel) Studebaker, Wade (Christi) Windemuller, Michelle Lyzenga, David Lyzenga, Paul Lyzenga, Daniel Van Zalen, Katherine Van Zalen, James Van Zalen. She also has two great-grandchildren and 34 step-great-grandchildren.

Polly’s surviving brothers and sisters are: Christina Joy (Andrew) Anema, Arthur Steven DeGroot, Evelyn (Mike) van Andel, William De Groot, Kathleen DeGroot, Marjorie DeGroot, Barbara DeGroot, Ruth DeGroot, Helen (Perry) Herrgesell, Roy (Elaine) DeGroot. Her surviving sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law are: Mary (Keith) Beavon, Barbara Leegwater, Bernie Vanderlest. There are numerous nieces and nephews.

A private family memorial service will be held on Friday June 21 at Tara Estates Mobile Home Park in Hanford, CA, after a private graveside service at Kings River Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Samaritan’s Purse International Relief www.samaritanspurse.org , or to Wycliffe Bible Translators preferencing missionaries Joshua and Virginia Ham www.wycliffe.org.