Leon James Leinen, 88

Leon James Leinen, 88, passed away Friday August 11, 2023, at Taylor House Hospice in Des Moines, Iowa from complications of a fall. A Mass of Christian Burial was held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in West Des Moines. Visitation was from 9:30 until service time, also at the church. A private family burial was at Resthaven Cemetery in West Des Moines.

Leon was born in South English, Iowa on August 15, 1934 to John and Anna (Britten) Leinen. He graduated from St. Elizabeth High School in Harper, Iowa in 1952, and he then attended St. Ambrose College. In 1955, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in mainland USA and in Formosa (Taiwan). On February 8, 1958, he married Rose Vittetoe in Harper and together raised five children. They farmed in the South English area until 1976. He then worked at Strohman’s John Deere in North English and Vittetoe Inc. in Keota where he retired in 1999. In 2006, Leon and Rose moved to West Des Moines to be close to family. They became active members of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in West Des Moines. Leon was a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and had been a knight for 71 years. 

Leon is preceded in death by an infant daughter, Lori Rose; parents, John and Anna; and seven siblings, Mary Kay, Don, Art, Bernadette, Eva, Jerry, and Rose Ann. 

He is survived by his wife, Rose; children, Jon (Shirley), Dan (Kim), Sally (Ed) Mattern, Kathy (Jodi) Bermel, and Dave (Kristy); 12 grandchildren, Abby (Travis), Stephanie (Matt), Zachary (Jodi), Tyler (Kinzie), James (Corey), Anna (Jon), Maggie (Joe), Briley, Nicholas, Jayden, Sadie, and Peyton; and four great grandchildren, Caleb, Molly, Brooklyn, Logan, with a fifth on the way; in-laws, Jerri Moeller, Virginia Weber, and Edwin Vittetoe; and many nieces and nephews.

His greatest treasures in life were his faith and family. He made sure that fun also made his list.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.