Leona Mae Verhoeven

Leona Mae Roelofsen was born on March 31, 1925 in Bellflower, California. She was the oldest of 5 children born to John & Katie Roelofsen. She attended Bellflower Christian School and graduated in 1943 with honors as the valedictorian of her class. At an early age she caught the eye of a certain handsome young man named Martin Verhoeven and the two of them never looked back. Martin & Leona were married on November 2, 1945 and they were able to enjoy a wonderful life together for over 73 years. They were truly each other’s best friend and partners in all things.

Martin & Leona moved to Chino in 1955 and enjoyed a life on the dairy which centered on their family and church. They were both actively involved as charter members and in the start up and of the Chino Christian Reformed Church (which later became the United Reformed Church of Chino). They both had a deep love of church and worshipping twice on Sunday, and were easily known and recognized in later years as the elderly couple walking hand in hand down the aisle to their pew. No matter where they went they were always hand in hand. They were truly a team. They lived in Chino until May of 2018 when they moved to Visalia and enjoyed living in the Sierra Village Community. In February of 2019 the Lord called Martin home to Him and Leona was called to carry on without her lifelong partner. As children we wondered how she would move forward because Dad & Mom had always done everything together and we couldn’t imagine one without the other. But the Lord equipped Mom with His grace and strength to carry on. The past 5 1/2 years have been filled with so many wonderful memories of special times that we as a family really see as bonus years where Mom could allow us to be there to walk alongside her. We were given the blessing and privilege to show her the love and support that both she had Dad had shown to us for all of our lives. She loved to go to church with us, share meals and just shower her children, grandchildren and great-children with so much love. Each day she would ask us, “Who is coming tomorrow and what are we going to do?” The routine gave her life a lot of meaning. She commented just a few weeks ago the time just seemed to be flying by! We all carry precious memories of our times with Mom during these past years.

Dad and Mom’s love for their family was never in doubt, but it all began with a deep and lasting love for each other and their commitment to serving the Lord. They gave us all such a beautiful example of a truly Christian marriage and the love of family. As children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and even one great-great-grandchild….we have so much to be grateful for and a responsibility to carry on that legacy.

Leona is survived by her five children: Carolyn te Velde, Wesley & Yolanda Verhoeven, Ronald & Beverly Verhoeven, Darlene & Geoffrey Vanden Heuvel and Lori & John Van Hofwegen and sister-in-laws Henrietta Vander Schaaf and Winnie Roelofsen. Martin & Leona were blessed with 17 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Martin, parents John & Katie Roelofsen, siblings Dorothy Miersma, Arlene Vander Tuig, Jerry Roelofsen and Carolyn Roelofsen; son-in-law Ralph te Velde, grandson Michael te Velde and great-granddaughter Daphne Verhoeven.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to:

Providence Christian College

P.O. Box 93074

Pasadena, CA 91109-3074