Arnold Leonard

One of life’s true good guys, Arnold Leonard of Corning Iowa, went to live with the Lord and angels on Thursday, November 16, 2023. He was a beloved father and grandfather, a respected farmer, and a devoted Christian. At 93 years of age, Arnold got all there was to get from life on this side of heaven, and served as an inspiration on how to find good in people. A friend to many, he had a big smile, an even bigger heart, and was a joy to be around. He passed away at the Walnut Ridge Care Center in Clive IA.

Arnold Mac Leonard was born on April 18th, 1930 to Dan and Lona Leonard in rural Taylor County. He attended country school in Holt Township and later graduated from Corning High School with the class of 1948.

On December 26, 1949, Arnold married his high school sweetheart, Lorane Lynam, and to this union two sons were born, Rick and Kirk. Arnold and Lorane moved to the Leonard homestead south of Corning in 1949, where Arnold became the 4th generation farmer to tend to the same land tilled before him by his father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He and Lorane received a Century Farm designation from the Department of Agriculture at the 1989 Iowa State Fair. They later bought and moved to a home in Corning in 2000, and after 57 years of farming, fully retired in 2006.

Arnold was a 60+ year member of the Masonic Temple of Corning, a Shriner with the Adams County Shrine Club, and a devoted parishioner, leader, and care-taker of the Fairview United Church of Christ in rural Taylor County for over four decades. Family gatherings were the highlight of his ever busy social calendar. He liked to golf and to play cards. And Arnold stayed connected to the community by lunching at the hospital and/or meeting for afternoon coffee downtown, where he became the unofficial historian for the group.

Arnold is survived by his son, Kirk (Karen) Leonard of West Des Moines, daughter-in-law, Julie Leonard of Kenmore WA; three grandchildren: Chris (Jen) Leonard of Kenmore WA, Brant (Nikki) Leonard of West Des Moines and Brynn (Kyle) Keller of Knoxville; three step-grandchildren: Jennifer (Todd) Karsten of Ankeny, Ryan (Casey) O’Roake of Newton, Josh O’Roake of West Des Moines; and 3 great grandchildren. Arnold is also survived by a niece, Donna (Richard) Hogan of Corning, and nephews David (Diane) Bradley of Danville CA, Mike (Deb) Bradley of Urbandale, and Jim (Kim) Leonard of Norwalk; and by his special friend, companion and longtime farm neighbor, Lillian Leonard of Lenox. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Lorane, son Rick, brother Dan Jr. Leonard, sister Arlene Powell, sister-in-law Phyllis Buck, brother-in-law Darrell Powell and brother-in-law and sister-in law, Clifford and Mary Lee Bradley.