Donald Leinen

Funeral Mass: Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009 11:00 AM Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 575 Howard, Richmond Visitation: Wednesday, Oct.21 4-7 PM Rosary: 7:00 PM Peterseim Funeral Home, Kalona Memorial Fund: Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Burial: Will be at a later date in the St. Elizabeth's Cemetery, Harper. Don's body will be cremated following the services. Donald Clair Leinen was born May 8, 1922, in South English, Iowa. He died Oct. 17, at the age of 87 years, at the Mercy Hospital, Iowa City. Donald was the son of John W. and Anna Britten Leinen. He graduated from high school and immediately started farming and continued his occupation for 48 years. After retiring the couple moved to Iowa City and later to Kalona. Don and Darlene Steckel were married November 29, 1958 in Cedar Rapids. Don was member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church at the present time and had been a member of St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church in Harper. Don was very active in the church and the Knights of Columbus. He had served as an alter boy, sang in choir, ushered, was trustee, served on the parish council and taught religion classes. He was Grand Recorder, Deputy Grand Knight and Grand Knight in the Knights of Columbus. Don had served on the Keota/Harper School Board and had over 2000 volunteer hours at Mercy Hospital. He also enjoyed bowling three times a week including the Wednesday league. He volunteered at the Free Lunch program at Wesley House and had helped rebuild the Colonial Lanes Bowling Alley after the tornado. His other interests included gardening; growing and sharing vegetables and playing cards. Don is survived by his wife, Darlene of Kalona, four children, Theresa (Rollin III) Howard of Sachse, TX, Leo Leinen (Theresa) Leinen of Kalona, Matthew Leinen of Cedar Rapids, and Maria (Frank) Gonzales of Wylie, TX. Also surviving are eight grandchildren: Rollin IV, Joshua, Zachary, Jake, Benjamin, Emmalee, Brittney and Audrey, four sisters, May Kay Gerleman of Cedar Rapids, Eva Parrish of Cedar Rapids, Bernadette (Wilbert) Adam of Keota, Rose Anne (O.B.) of Fairlawn, OH, two brothers, J. Arthur(Norma)Leinen of Keota, Leon (Rose) Leinen of West Des Moines, and one sister-in-law, Jerri (Don) Moeller of Davenport. Don was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Jerome Leinen. Casket bearers will be Rollin Howard IV, Joshua Howard, Zachary Howard, Jake Leinen, Ben Leinen and Tom Blum. The family wishes to thank all who have been so supportive of them during Don's illness and this time of their loss. Your kindnesses will always be cherished.