Bleeker, Edward L.

Edward L. Bleeker, 81, of Shellsburg, died Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009, at Cottage Grove Place, Cedar Rapids. Services: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010, at Peace Christian Reformed Church, by the Rev. Gary Brouwers. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 1, at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, Cedar Rapids, and after 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Surviving are children, Todd (Linda) Bleeker of Beloit, Wis., Joel (Lynn) Bleeker of West Des Moines, Glen (Lisa) Bleeker of Firestone, Colo., Ross (Shirley) Bleeker of Cedar Rapids, Beth Bleeker of Marion, Paul (Dawn) Bleeker of Newton and Reed (Angie) Bleeker of Solon; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Ralph Bleeker of Lake Elsinore, Calif., and Ray (Berdene) Bleeker of Pipestone, Minn.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Audrey; his parents; two sisters and five brothers.

Edward was born March 11, 1928, in Castlewood, S.D., to Neil and Minnie Bleeker. He married Audrey Schiefelbein on Aug. 12, 1955, in Clear Lake, S.D. Edward received his bachelor's degree from South Dakota State and his master's degree from Iowa State University, where he was working toward his doctoral degree. He retired as superintendent of schools at Ruthven Ayrshire School District. He was a retired Navy veteran and a member of Peace Christian Reformed Church.

He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, and friend who will be greatly missed.

The family requests all donations be made to Peace Christian Reformed Church to be donated to Wycliffe Bible Translators.

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