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BORN
1927
DIED
2020
Leon Kirchhoff Obituary
Leon Carl Kirchhoff
April 28, 1927 - November 2, 2020
Leon Carl Kirchhoff, 93, of Tripoli, IA passed away peacefully on November 2, 2020 at Bartels in Waverly, IA.
He was born April 28, 1927 in rural Tripoli, IA son of Carl and Alinda (Koch) Kirchhoff.
Leon graduated from Tripoli HS in 1946 and farmed near Tripoli. He later moved to CA where he was employed in banking. After serving in the U.S. Army from 1950-1952, he returned to IA and resumed farming.
Leon earned a BA in 1965 from the State College of IA (now UNI) and a MA in 1971 from NW MO State College. He taught world history and American government at Tripoli HS from 1965-1982.
In February 1966, he married Hazel Maurer Pierce. For many years they operated Golden Age Antiques in downtown Tripoli.
Leon loved being outdoors and continued farming throughout his life. You could often find him feeding his Longhorn cattle, cutting firewood, baling hay and picking Morel mushrooms or raspberries. He enjoyed time with family and collecting pottery, jukeboxes and antique farm equipment.
Leon is survived by 2 daughters, Diane (Brian) Otis of Solon, IA and Linda Thomas of Dallas, TX; 7 grandchildren, Sam (Deb) Otis of Peoria, IL, Jon (Ami) Otis of Independence, IA, Dan (Dynasti) Otis of Wasilla, AK, Sean Thomas of Fort Mill, SC, Austin Thomas of McKinney, TX, David Lane of Bellevue, IA, and Ben (Bree) Lane of Denver, IA; 16 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild; sister-in-law Betty Beach of New Hampton, IA and brother-in-law Steve Maurer of Waterloo, IA.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Hazel Kirchhoff, daughter Kim Pierce Lane Kingery, brother Dan Kirchhoff, and half-sister Vanita Winzenburg.
Due to COVID, there will be a celebration of life at a later time.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Leon Kirchhoff
5 Entries
Carolyn Baker Conrad
November 29, 2020
My sympathy to you ladies. I enjoyed your dad as a teacher and later as a friend when he and Hazel had the antique store. He had so much knowledge and great work ethic and was very nice to visit with.
Linda Thomas
November 15, 2020
We enjoy hearing your memories about Dad. Thank you! From his daughters, Diane and Linda
Pamela hartzell
November 15, 2020
I have fond memories of leons antiques shop on main st. My husband i enjoyed going to his shop. He seemed to be a gentile and wonderful person. My sympathy to his family.
Anne Sobota and family (Maurer/Moss)
November 15, 2020
I was sorry to hear of his passing.I have great memories of visiting the farm and even taking my sons out there. I loved his humor and always enjoyed his letters. I loved the stories and our family loved his animated discussions. A great man!
Danny Kuecker
November 15, 2020
What a wonderful teacher. He stirred my interest in politics way back in 1972. A good man!
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