Leona R. DeBruyne

Leona R. DeBruyne, age 88, left this world in death on Sunday, November 19, 2023, and went to her home in eternity with her Savior Jesus Christ. She was born September 2,1935 in Holly, MI and graduated from Greenville High School (MI) and Bryan College (Dayton, TN). She married her husband, Donald, in 1962 and they shared over 61 years together in Grand Rapids, MI, demonstrating love and faithfulness as an example to future generations. Over her lifetime, Leona served in various work positions, including elementary school teacher, bookkeeper, and school librarian. She also volunteered for decades at two church/school libraries and in numerous roles supporting the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ, her Lord. She was very active at Calvary Church involved with communion, baptisms, and most importantly as a prayer warrior. Don and Leona enjoyed traveling together, whether it was taking their two children on road trips exploring national parks in the US or traveling with friends during their senior years. For decades, Leona compiled genealogy research on her family ancestry, following in the footsteps of her mother who began tracing the family’s genealogy as a hobby in 1964. Leona’s most cherished roles were as a mother to her two children and “Nana” to her grandchildren. She always was present at any of their school, music or athletic activities to support and cheer them on and shared her interests with them, including sewing and playing games. Her love and dedication to her grandchildren will forever be held close in their hearts. Leona will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Donald; children: Randal J. (Diana) DeBruyne, Lynda S. (Rick) Hoeksema; granddaughters, Rachel L. and Sarah L. Hoeksema; brother, Cecil L. Wyckoff; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Leo L. and Sophia (Evanczo) Wyckoff; sister-in-law, E. Ruth Wyckoff; brother-in-law, Robert J. DeBruyne. Funeral services will be held 11 am Monday, November 27, 2023 at Calvary Church, 707 E. Beltline Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, with Pastors Don Hancock and Dane Bjork officiating. Burial will be held at Greenwood Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family Sunday from 2-4 pm at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home 4646 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Kentwood and also Monday one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorial contributions to Calvary Church (https://my.calvarygr.org/).