Bernard "Bernie" Michael Leinen
March 1, 1932 — September 4, 2015
Bernard Michael Leinen, “Bernie”, was born on March 1, 1932 to Joseph and Caroline (Stinn) Leinen in Portsmouth, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and attended St. Mary’s Catholic School, graduating with the Class of 1949.
After graduation, he assisted in the construction of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. He entered the United States Army in January of 1953 and served in Korea until receiving his honorable discharge in December of 1954. He returned home and was united in marriage to Helen Kramer on January 26, 1955. They became parents to six children: Carol, Gary, Patty, Lori, Steve, and Randy.
Bernie farmed his entire life, beginning his farming career east of Westphalia. The family moved to a farm near Shelby, Iowa in 1962. In 1969, they purchased a farm near Panama where they remained.
He served on the Panama School Board, Parish Council, Community Club, Athletic Association, Portsmouth American Legion Post No. 601, The Mosquito Watershed, and coached Pee-Wee baseball for several years. In 1975, he was honored as Farmer of the Year by the Panama Community Club.
Bernie died on Friday, September 4, 2015 at the Elm Crest Retirement Home in Harlan, Iowa, having attained the age of eighty-three years, six months, and three days. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Don.
He is survived by his wife of sixty years, Helen Leinen of Harlan, Iowa; children: Carol and her husband Randy Vogel of Ankeny, Iowa, Gary Leinen and his wife Barb of Panama, Iowa, Patty and her husband Duane Assmann of Harlan, Iowa, Lori and her husband Gail Weis of Omaha, Nebraska, Steve Leinen and his wife DeeDee of Panama, Iowa, and Randy Leinen and his wife Lisa of Harlan; twenty-six grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; sister Virginia Reinig of Portsmouth, Iowa; brothers Rich Leinen and his wife Alma of Portsmouth and Joe Leinen and his wife Jeanette of Council Bluffs, Iowa; other family members and friends.
After graduation, he assisted in the construction of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. He entered the United States Army in January of 1953 and served in Korea until receiving his honorable discharge in December of 1954. He returned home and was united in marriage to Helen Kramer on January 26, 1955. They became parents to six children: Carol, Gary, Patty, Lori, Steve, and Randy.
Bernie farmed his entire life, beginning his farming career east of Westphalia. The family moved to a farm near Shelby, Iowa in 1962. In 1969, they purchased a farm near Panama where they remained.
He served on the Panama School Board, Parish Council, Community Club, Athletic Association, Portsmouth American Legion Post No. 601, The Mosquito Watershed, and coached Pee-Wee baseball for several years. In 1975, he was honored as Farmer of the Year by the Panama Community Club.
Bernie died on Friday, September 4, 2015 at the Elm Crest Retirement Home in Harlan, Iowa, having attained the age of eighty-three years, six months, and three days. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Don.
He is survived by his wife of sixty years, Helen Leinen of Harlan, Iowa; children: Carol and her husband Randy Vogel of Ankeny, Iowa, Gary Leinen and his wife Barb of Panama, Iowa, Patty and her husband Duane Assmann of Harlan, Iowa, Lori and her husband Gail Weis of Omaha, Nebraska, Steve Leinen and his wife DeeDee of Panama, Iowa, and Randy Leinen and his wife Lisa of Harlan; twenty-six grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; sister Virginia Reinig of Portsmouth, Iowa; brothers Rich Leinen and his wife Alma of Portsmouth and Joe Leinen and his wife Jeanette of Council Bluffs, Iowa; other family members and friends.
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