Edward Theodore Leinen, 73, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at Wesley Acres in Des Moines, Iowa. Born on August 22, 1949 to Michael and Ramona (Slaven) Leinen in Portsmouth, Iowa, Edward was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary's Catholic Church. He attended grade school and high school at St. Mary's Catholic School in Panama, Iowa, graduating in 1967. He then went on to work at Leinen Hardware, where he was employed for over 30 years and became known as the go-to handyman for fixing furnaces, water heaters, and air conditioners.
On June 9, 1973, Edward married Peggy A. Leinen in Earling, Iowa, and together they had four children: Melissa Schwery of Harlan, Dr. Katie Burns of Indianola, Iowa, Dr. Sarah Garner and her husband Shawn of Des Moines, Iowa, and Michael Leinen and his wife Dr. Amy Bethel Leinen of Minneapolis, Minnesota. In his free time, Edward enjoyed watching sports and was an avid fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes. He also played town team baseball as a third basemen and town team basketball.
Edward was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and siblings Richard, Thomas, and Mary. He is survived by his children and their spouses, as well as 11 grandchildren: Brandon Schwery, Morgan Schwery, Sam Burns, Ben Burns, Henry Burns, Jack Burns, Will Garner, Logan Garner, Owen Garner, Nora Leinen, and Margaret Leinen. He is also survived by his siblings: Michael Leinen (Donna), Jeannie Rohner (Donald), Jane Leinen, Janet Leinen, Allen Leinen (Jean), John Leinen (Randi), Martha Burckhardt (Thom), Nick Leinen (Christine), and Anne (Jed) Stramel, and numerous other family members and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00AM on Friday, January 13, 2023 at St. Mary Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Portsmouth, Iowa, with interment to follow at St. Mary's Cemetery. The family suggests memorials in Edward's name be given to the family.