Leonard Van Patten

Leonard Van Patten

December 6, 1944 – March 19, 2011

Leonard Van Patten, 66 of What Cheer passed away Saturday, March 19, 2011 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at the Harden Funeral Chapel. Burial will be held in Waddell Cemetery in rural What Cheer. Visitation will begin after 12:00 pm on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be in the family’s name to be determined later.

Leonard Van Patten, son of George A. and Laura (Leathers) Van Patten was born on December 6, 1944 in What Cheer, Iowa. He attended What Cheer Schools. Leonard was married to Carolyn Kerkove. Together they had a daughter, Anita Louise. They later divorced. On August 7, 1965, Leonard was united in marriage to Barbara Kiefer in Lancaster, Missouri. To this union two children were born, Julie and Danny. Leonard worked for Kaser Corporation as a stock pile driver, then mechanic and blaster at the Keswick Quarry and worked at several different locations within the company. Leonard and his crew was instrumental in developing the Sully Mine. He continued as mine manager through the changeover to Martin Marietta Materials retiring in March of 2010 after 44 years with the company. Leonard enjoyed tinkering, working on cars and a good laugh.

His memory will be honored by his wife of 46 years, Barbara Van Patten of What Cheer; his children, Anita (Dan) Travis of Hampshire, IL, Julie (Phil) Van Patten-Richard of What Cheer and Danny Van Patten of What Cheer; five grandchildren, Sara Travis, Hanna Travis, Emily Travis, Danielle Richard and Madison Richard.

Leonard was preceded in death by his parents, George and Laura Van Patten.

Source: Harden Funeral Home