Leona DeJaegher

Leona DeJaegher, age 93, of Nevada, Iowa, died Friday, October 24, 2014, at Story County Senior Care in Nevada. Memorial services were held 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 29, 2014, at Story County Senior Care in Nevada, with Pastor Myron Herzberg officiating. Graveside committal services will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, November 1, 2014, in Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Tracy, Minnesota. Condolences may be sent online to www.ryanfunerals.com. Leona Cecilia DeJaegher was born in Gullegem, Belgium on March 23, 1921, to Leo and Maria (Vansteenkiste) Delplancke. She married Albert DeJaegher in 1945, and the couple had one daughter, Lillian. In 1949, the family immigrated to the United States, became U. S. citizens, and began farming in the Marshall, Minnesota area. In 1964, Leona and Albert purchased a farm near Tracy, Minnesota where they lived until Albert’s death in 1990. Following Albert’s death, Leona moved to a small home in Nevada, Iowa to be closer to her daughter and family. Illness necessitated Leona’s move to a local care facility. Most recently, she was a resident of Story County Senior Care in Nevada. Leona is survived by her daughter, Lillian Gaulke of Nevada; a granddaughter, Jill (Scott) Harlan of Waterloo; a great-granddaughter, Alexis Harlan of Waterloo; and several relatives in Belgium. Leona was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Albert; a son-in-law, Lynn Gaulke; and several relatives in Belgium. Ryan Funeral Home of Nevada, Iowa, has been entrusted with the care of Leona and her family.