SR1131 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1131 LRB099 14734 MST 38882 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Leonard Beetstra, who passed away on September 29, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Leonard Beetstra was born in Harvard on November 8, 1925 to Jacob and Griet Beetstra; he attended White Oaks School and Harvard High School; he served in the United States Navy during World War II as a Seaman First Class aboard the USS Prichett, a Fletcher-class destroyer, and saw action in the Pacific Theater; later in life, he helped organize Pritchett reunions and enjoyed many years of attending annual ship's reunions around the country with his fellow sailors; he married Marion Koch in Harvard on June 18, 1949; and

WHEREAS, Leonard Beetstra was a licensed and bonded cattle dealer and was a well-known figure in farming circles throughout the area; and

WHEREAS, Leonard Beetstra was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Loyal Order of Moose, and the Tin Can Sailors; he was also a 66-year member of the First Presbyterian Church of Harvard; and

WHEREAS, Leonard Beetstra was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Bill and Jacob; and by his nephew, David; and

WHEREAS, Leonard Beetstra is survived by his wife of 66 years, Marion; his five children, John (Amy) Beetstra, Melinda (Gary) Vose, Thomas (Angela) Beetstra, Robert (Julie) Beetstra, and Karen (Jim) Kruckenberg; his 15 grandchildren; his 18 great-grandchildren; his brother, Raymond; and his sister, Grace McCullough; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Leonard Beetstra, and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Leonard Beetstra as an expression of our deepest sympathy.