Jenny Adelaide Lekwa

Jenny A. Lekwa, 86, died Wed., Feb. 19, 2014 at Mercy Hospice Johnston. She was born Feb. 23, 1927 in southern Belgium, the only child of Leon and Marie Bury. During WWII, she met Arnold Lekwa, when he asked her for directions at a train station in Belgium. After the war at age 19, Jenny boarded a "Bride Ship" and a train to Iowa where she married Arnold at the Little Brown Church on Feb. 25, 1947, two days after her 20th birthday. Besides being a wonderful mother, over the years Jenny worked evenings at Younkers and then in catering at the Savery Hotel, Hotel Fort Des Moines, Eddie Webster's, the Des Moines Convention Center, and lastly at The Sheraton Inn. She worked to afford trips back to Belgium with her children to visit family. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband. She deeply loved her children Linda (Dennis) Anderson of Medfield, MA, James (Barbara) Lekwa of Johnston, and Lori (Paul) Carey of Waukee, and grandchildren, Crystal (Michael) Hensing of Clive, Claire Lekwa and Eric Lekwa, both of Chicago, IL, and great-grandson, Harrison Hensing. Services will be 4 p.m., Mon., Feb. 24, 2014 at Caldwell Raddatz Funeral Home, 8201 Hickman, Urbandale, and family will greet friends following the service until 6 p.m. Burial will be 2 p.m., Tues., Feb. 25, 2014 in the Iowa Veterans Cemetery, Van Meter, Iowa. Heartfelt thanks for the loving care Jenny received at Mercy Cancer Center, Calvin Community, Kennybrook Village and Mercy Hospice Johnston. Memorial contributions may be given to them or Wesley Meals On Wheels.