- Date Of Birth: February 4, 1926
- Date Of Death: August 4, 2011
- State: New Mexico
LEOLA JENKINS WHITAKER, 85, longtime Deming resident entered eternal life on Thursday, August 4, 2011 at The Arbors of Del Rey in Las Cruces surrounded by her family and the loving staff.
Leola was born February 4, 1926 in Fairmount, North Dakota to Frank and Maryanne (Minnehan) Hermes. Leola had four brothers and four sisters. She and her twin sister graduated from Fairmount High School in 1944. She attended nurses training in St. Paul, MN during World War II.
She met a handsome sailor, Wayne Jenkins whom she married in January, 1947 in Fairmount, ND. They had three children and farmed and ranched in Wyoming, Montana, and southwest New Mexico. They also worked and traveled in Mexico and South America. They made Deming their home where Wayne died in September, 1978. In October, 1987, Leola and Dr. Leon J. Whitaker were married. They enjoyed long daily walks together and traveling until his death in April, 1997.
She worked in bookkeeping and accounting for Deming Public Schools and the New Mexico Highway Department. Leola had a servant’s heart to help others all her life. She volunteered with American Cancer Society for 3 years, Mimbres Hospital Auxiliary for 17 years, and Mimbres Hospice Care for 10 years. She was the bookkeeper for the Southwestern New Mexico State Fair for many years. She was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church for over 50 years. She took many meals and brownies to others throughout her lifetime. Her greatest joys were spending time in her yard and garden with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Leola was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Ray Hermes and Claire Hermes, three sisters, Lee Hafner, Rhoda Holm, and Leora Herding, and her husbands, Wayne Jenkins and Dr. L.J. Whitaker.
She is survived by two brothers, Gabriel (Edna) Hermes, Breckenridge, MN and Frank (Dorothy) Hermes, Hankinson, ND; one sister, Anne Hedemark, Victoria, MN; three children, Allie Bryant, Deming; Louis (Kay) Jenkins, Deming; Mary (Allan) Hewitt, Sebastian, FL; 8 grandchildren, Michelle (Sean) Coburn, Cindy (Jorge) Tovar, Charley (Holly) Schultz, Carrie (Adam) Rochman, Joe (Kayla) Schultz, Jenny Jenkins (Scott Edwards), Bill Jenkins (Donna Bateman), John Jenkins and 14 great-grandchildren.
