Leora M Bolhuis

Leora M. Bolhuis, age 85, of Mankato, died Friday, January 2, 2009 at Pathstone Living in Mankato.

Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at Hosanna Lutheran Church in Mankato, with Rev. Steve Kosberg officiating. Burial will be in the Garden City Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-6 p.m. on Monday at Mankato Mortuary and continues one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.

Leora was born February 1, 1923 at the home of her parents, Charley and Mabel (Clubine) Bellmer in Black Hawk County, Iowa. She graduated from Dunkerton Consolidated School in May 1940 and was employed in Waterloo. Leora enlisted in the Women's Army Corps on October 21, 1943. She served in many locations and was awarded a "Laurel Wreath" decoration for meritorious service. Prior to her discharge as a Corporal, she was diagnosed with Polio and spent several months in Army hospitals recovering. Leora was united in marriage to Lawrence Bolhuis on January 4, 1947 in Evansdale, IA. She and her family moved to Mankato in 1968 where she was employed with Advertising Unlimited and Blue Earth County. Leora retired in 1985. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lake Crystal as well as several other groups. Leora enjoyed crafts and sewing, flowers, birds, gardening, cooking, reading, and being outdoors.

Leora is survived by her son, Lawrence "Larry" (Dawn) Bolhuis of Mankato; three daughters, Beverly (Jerry) Dick of Mission Bay, TX, Rebecca Deutsch of Mankato, and Dawn (Wayne) Heilman of Mankato; one granddaughter; one step-grandson; and five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lawrence in 1988; four brothers; a baby sister; and one step-granddaughter.