Leon Wilson

Leon Wilson

January 30, 1937 – October 16, 2011
Grinnell, Iowa

Visitation: 6 pm to 8 pm on Tuesday October 18, 2001 at Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell, Iowa
Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m., Wednesday October 19, 2011 at Grinnell Christian Church
Interment: Following the funeral service October 19, 2011 at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell, Iowa

Leon was born on January 30, 1937, in Grinnell, Iowa to Paul and Imo Dell McCaslin Wilson. He was raised on the family farm in the Rock Creek area and graduated from Grinnell High School with the Class of 1955. He attended Iowa State University and later was inducted into the United States Army. He served with the Army for two years and was honorably discharged in 1962. On October 20, 1962, he was married to Wilma Jean Elrod in Gilman, Iowa. The couple lived in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, where he worked as a blockman for Allis Chalmers Company. In 1970, the couple returned to the family farm in the Rock Creek neighborhood and operated a grain and livestock farm. He also worked as a traffic manager for the Farmhand Company and as a dispatcher for Alliant Energy Company. He retired in 1998.

Leon had served on the City Council in Gilman and was Exalted Ruler of the Grinnell Elks Lodge. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Farm Bureau and the Lion Clubs in Gilman and Grinnell. He was an avid reader and enjoyed photography. His family was very important to him and he enjoyed holiday meals and Sunday family gatherings.

He is survived by his wife, Wilma Wilson of Grinnell; his children, Sandra (Harry) Maron of Elk River, Minnesota, Phillip (Diane) Wilson of Lone Tree, Colorado and Gregory (Stephanie) Wilson of Edmond, Oklahoma; 12 grandchildren; and one sister, Kathryn (Duane) Larsen of Grinnell.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Clair Wilson

Memorials may be directed to Grinnell Regional Hospice.