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John Leinen
JOHN "JACK" LEINEN
Cedar Rapids
John "Jack" Ferneau Leinen, 83, of Hampton, passed away Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015, at Franklin General Hospital in Hampton.
Jack was born Sept. 17, 1931, in Highland Township, Tama County, Iowa, to Leon W. and Wilma (Ferneau) Leinen. He graduated from St. Patrick's Catholic High School in Cedar Rapids.
Jack was united in marriage to Violet Joy Thorson on June 11, 1952, in Cedar Rapids. He served his country in the United States Air Force as Airman First Class, and also in the Naval Reserve and Army Reserve.
Jack worked for the Polk County Attorney's Office until he retired. He was a member of the Dows Golf Course and American Legion.
Jack loved to write and published several short stories and two books, "Dreams of Days Gone By" (a collection of short stories) and "Swimming Naked" (a memoir of the time he lived with his grandparents in Sibley, Iowa, after his mother's death). He was currently working on a fictional novel about a minister who takes over a rundown mission near Ojibwe Territory in Minnesota. When not writing, Jack could be found at the Dows Golf Course agonizing over his game or watching the Minnesota Vikings agonizing over their game.
Jack is survived by his wife, Violet Joy Leinen of Hampton; daughter, Jaci Leinen-Cowart of Ankeny; daughter, Jerre Grefe-Rust and husband Kevin of Hampton; daughter-in-law, Cindy Leinen of Albert Lea, Minn.; grandchildren, Amber Cahill and husband Tim, Josh Cowart and wife Lisa, Jodee Strub and husband Mark, Tanner Grefe and wife Tonya, Levi Grefe and significant other Diamond Dvorak and Justin Leinen and Jobe Hinders; great-grandchildren, Tyler, Carter, Jack, Ashley, Sam, Louie, Aria, Brittany, Andrew, Kennedy, Keegan, Jordan, Marcus, Mason, Trevor, Jacob, Olivia, Taya, Taylor, Drake, Madison, Lilly, Caden and Mason; great-great-grandchild, Henley; and his constant companion, dog, Pepper.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents; sons, Jody and Jeffe; sister, Shirley; and son-in-law, Doug Grefe.
. . . As he stepped away he paused and turned back. "I know, me lad, it seems you've come a long ruud, and it'll be a long ruud before ye be home again. So enjoy the journey, and make the most of it." . . . (from "Swimming Naked")
Jack's wishes were to have his body donated to the Des Moines University Body Donor Program.
A Celebration of Life will be Sunday, Jan. 25, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Harriman's Park, 324 19th Ave. NE, Hampton.
The Sietsema Vogel Funeral Home of Hampton is working with Jack's family.
www.sietsemavogel funeralhomes.com
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