Leonard LeRoy Worden

Leonard LeRoy Worden, Iowa Falls, formerly of Dows, passed away Friday, February 21, 2014 in Iowa Falls after a valiant fight with progressive supra-nuclear palsy (PSP). He was 85 years old.

Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday March 1, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church, Iowa Falls. Visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. Friday evening, February 28, 2014 at the church, and an hour before services Saturday. 

Leonard was born October 9, 1928, the son of Chester Judd and Viola Evelyn (Schwieger) Worden. He attended Morgan Township No. 7, graduating in the eighth grade, and graduated from high school at Dows Community in 1944 at age 15. He furthered his education at Morningside College and Iowa State University before returning home to the family farm. On March 20, 1951, he united in marriage to Delores K. Peters in Hampton. He served in the United States Marine Corps, stationed at California and Japan. In 1954 he returned home to farm until he and Delores retired to Iowa Falls in 2007.

Until declining health, Leonard was an active lay member of the United Methodist Church. He served on the boards of the Dairy Herd Improvement Association, Dows Cooperative, Farmers Grain Dealers Association, Farmers Insurance, Franklin County Pork Producers, and the Dows School Board. He was a 4-H leader for the Morgan Merrymakers. He had been a member off the Dows American Legion Post #523 for the past 58 years.

Leonard was elected and served two terms as a Franklin County Supervisor. He served on the boards of the Mental Health Center of North Iowa, Inc. and the Prairie Ridge Addiction Treatment Services before his move to Iowa Falls. He was a past chairperson of the Franklin County Republican Committee.

Leonard is survived by his wife Delores; daughter Debra (Harlan) Worden Gillespie, Cedar Rapids; son Dennis (Joan) Worden, Oelwein; daughter Beverly (Timothy) Smith, Iowa Falls; son Brian (Joni) Worden of Belmond; 13 grandchildren: Nathan (Kristin) Gillespie, Aaron Gillespie, Adam Gillespie (fiancée Vanessa Dominguez), Noah Worden, Jonna (Lance) Schutte, Jacob Worden, Logan Worden, Benjamin Smith, Jocelyn Smith (fiancé Adam Grayson), Linzey (Jesse) Nosbush, Lane Worden, Landon Worden, Luke Worden; seven great children: Aiden and Neala Gillespie, Blake, Briella and Breklyn Schutte, Cooper and Chantel Nosbush; sister Marlys Pauley, brother Chester William (Patty) Worden; sisters-in-law Betty Worden and Karmen Worden and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Robert, Gaylord, and Gordon Worden, and brother-in-law, James Pauley.

The family wishes to thank the caring staff of Scenic Manor in Iowa Falls; North Iowa Hospice(Lori, Sue, Linda and Karen G); and Pastors Judy, Carol, and Jeff and their care and concern for Leonard and his family.

Leonard deeded his body to the University of Iowa for medical education and research. Interment will be in the Morgan Township Cemetery at a later date.