Celesta M. Bleeker

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Bleeker, Celesta M. Age 88, of St. Paul passed away 6/22/2017. Preceded in death by her parents, Hiram and Grace Bleeker; brothers, Elton (Florence) Bleeker, Ivan Bleeker; sister-in-law, Leola Bleeker; nephew Bruce Bleeker; niece, Cheryl Knodel. Survived by her siblings, Alvira (John) Foiles, Lemoyne Bleeker, Melvyn (Jan) Bleeker; sister-in-law, Sara Bleeker; nieces and nephews, Leanne (Chuck), Norma (Lloyd), Dale (Dawn), Linnae (Gregg), Lyndon, Lori (William), Jolie (Steven), David (Lynn), Craig (Amy), Londa, Jessica (Courtney), Glenda (Kevin), Katie (Jeremy), Dawn (Karl), Joshua (Jen); further survived other relatives and friends. Celesta ('54) graduated from George High School in George, Iowa. She graduated from the University of Northwestern with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. Celesta started her career as a teacher in Matlock, Iowa. She also was a bookkeeper at Sudenga Industries in George, Iowa. When she moved to Minneapolis, she worked 15 years with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and then 25 years at the University of Northwestern as the chief accountant, cataloging music and booking concert tours. Celesta was a strong supporter of the University of Northwestern and setup three scholarships: The Celesta M. Bleeker Music Scholarship, A Missions Scholarship, and the Edna Kooyman Girls' Basketball Fund. She remained very active with the college after her retirement. Celesta had a passion for music and supporting missionaries. She also loved reading and traveling the world with her best friend Edna Kooyman. She was a long time member of First Baptist Church in downtown Minneapolis. Funeral service 1:00 pm Thursday June 29, 2017 at First Baptist Church (1021 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, MN) Visitation 5-7 pm Wednesday at Sunset Funeral Home (2250 St. Anthony Blvd. NE. Minneapolis) and one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the church. Interment will be in the Sunset Cemetery. Memorials requested to First Baptist Church or University of Northwestern. SunsetFuneralServices.com

Published on June 27, 2017