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Leonard LeRoy Kiley

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December 16, 1929 - November 4, 2024

Leonard LeRoy Kiley, 94 of Corwith, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, at the Kanawha Community Home in Kanawha.

Leonard was born Dec. 16, 1929, on a farm near Kanawha.  The son of John W. and Ernie Mae (Vroman) Kiley. The family made their home in the Kanawha area until moving to the family farm near Corwith. He graduated from Vernon School in 1949 where he enjoyed playing baseball and basketball. Following high school, he worked at the Cheese Factory before being drafted into the United States Army. He served on the front line in the Korean War until he was honorably discharged in April of 1953.

On March 11, 1956, Leonard was united in marriage to Mary Ann Nelson in Humboldt. The couple farmed northeast of Renwick before moving to Lime Springs, continuing their farming operation. In 1961, they returned to the Renwick area where they continued to farm. The couple moved to the Kiley Family farm in 1986, and he continued to farm with his son Dennis until he retired in 2021. He always enjoyed giving rides in the tractor and combine to all the grandchildren each fall. He was also their number one fan at their sporting events. The grandchildren always loved going to see grandpa at the Kossuth County Fair where he was on the fair board for over 40 years. The grandchildren knew it as “Grandpa’s Fair.” He truly enjoyed spending time with his family, farming and going to dances with Mary Ann. He served on the Renwick Elevator Board of Directors and was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church, Ernest Merkle Post 664, Corwith American Legion, Izaak Walton and Polka Club of Iowa.

Leonard is survived by his children; Cindy (Mark) Wanken of Grimes, Denise Harvey of Dike, Dennis (Jean) Kiley of Britt, Pam (Danny) Zeigler of Urbandale, Marva (Jim) Anderson of Humboldt, Stormy (Steve) Smothers of Manson and Tyler (Amanda) Clarken, of Peoria, Ill.; seventeen grandchildren; twenty-one great- grandchildren; his brothers Ernie (Nelda) Kiley of Eagle Grove and John (Barb) Kiley of Orchard, Neb. He is preceded in death by his parents; wife Mary Ann; mother and father-in-law, Erling and Cecelia Nelson; and brothers, Tuffy Kiley and Kenneth Kiley.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 22 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Renwick. Followed by burial at the Glenwood Cemetery, Goldfield. Visitation will be from 5 - 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21 at the Renwick Community Center. The Mason-Lindhart Funeral & Cremation Service of Humboldt is in charge of the arrangements. www.masonlindhart.com.

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