Leo R. Zagnoli
April 29, 2012
Leo Zagnoli, 90, passed away Sunday, April 29, 2012, from a heart ailment, at the VA Hospital in Des Moines.
Leo was born September 18, 1921, in Des Moines, to Lee and Anna (Peel) Zagnoli. He graduated from East High in 1940, and served in the U.S. Coast Guard during WWII. He was also a jeweler for Plumb’s Jewelry Store for many years. Leo was baptized at St. Peter’s Catholic Church and has been a lifetime member. He was also a 4th-degree member of the Knights of Columbus, and a member of the American Legion Baldwin-Patterson Post 274. He was a talented carpenter and enjoyed fishing.
At the age of 11, Leo and his twin brother worked for their neighbor at their popcorn stand in the city park located on the corner of East 14th & Grand. After returning from WWII, the twin brothers established Zag’s Popcorn at the Iowa State Fair. It has been passed down to family and is now known as Zag’s Italian Sausage.
Leo is survived by his twin brother, Robert J. Zagnoli of Des Moines; sisters, Clara M. Zagnoli and Della White, both of Des Moines; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Tony Zagnoli, Joseph Zagnoli and Robert Peel, and his sisters, Marie Thoren and Grace Zagnoli.
Services will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, May 3, 2012, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 618 18th Street, Des Moines, followed by burial at Glendale Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., with a Rosary at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street.
Memorial contributions may be made to his church.
The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the VA Hospital and staff for the years of excellent medical care Leo has received.
Online condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Rochelle Fleming
05/30/2012
Leo was an amazing and kind hearted man. We always enjoyed seeing him at the Pembina County Fair.
jerry freeborn
05/14/2012
I will miss you LEO
Marilyn Upchurch
05/07/2012
My thoughts are with the Zagnoli family as you miss this special family member. I especially send love to the Bob Peel family and know they will remember Leo with many fond memories.
Dan Williams
05/04/2012
I am the youngest of Gerri Willams' (Mohler) children. She grew up next door to the Zagnoli's and always talked of Leo and Robert being like her brothers. Leo will be missed by us all.
Arnie & Grace DeWitt
05/03/2012
We own East University Self Storage where Leo has a unit. We always enjoyed talking with him as he came in each month. I was born and raised in the fairgrounds so we always had a lot of State Fair discussions. Leo was so interesting and such an honest, hard working man. We will miss him!
Margo Upchurch Grady
05/02/2012
Leo R. Zagnoli Family,
I am the middle daughter of Harriet Hanks Upchurch and wish
to convey my condolences to the
family of Leo. Modine, Marilyn and I remember so well what fun we used to have at the Fair with
the Zagnoli's -- Mom, Minnie and Lois were always so happy to see
your family, and we certainly had a great time with you all. Thinking
of all of you.
Anna (Vitiritto) Bush
05/01/2012
Leo will be missed by many.
Thoughts and prayers to the Zagnoli Family.
Jerry & Diane Kearns
05/01/2012
Our sympathy to the family. Although we did not know Leo as well as we knew Joe, I am sure the family will miss him very much.
Edward Heathcote
05/01/2012
I worked for Robert and Leo for several years at the fair and they always treated me fairly. I became close enough to stop by and see the family whenever i was at the fair. Always at the big zags on top of the hill. Although they were twins, they had very different personalities, and it was always a joy to have them together in a room! Haha. Leo you will be missed ... but your legend will surely live on.
jolinda hughes
04/30/2012
i wanted to give my sincerest condolences to the wonderful zagnoli family--it was an honor to know leo--what a wonderful man-my mama--the late carmella belluchi-always spoke highly of leo and all the zagnoli family--we never went to the fair without stopping at the zagnoli stands--we will miss seeing leo at church---may he rest in peace-----jolinda-belluchi-hughes