Colleen Leinen

Colleen LaVerne Leinen, age 93, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving children on Tuesday, May 17, 2022.

Colleen was born January 23, 1929 in Van Meter, Iowa to Roy and Violet (Ambrose) Coppick. She graduated from East High School in 1946. While completing her education, she worked at the ordinance plant in Ankeny during World War II. After graduation, she worked first for a law firm in Des Moines, and then for IMT Insurance, and also sold Avon Cosmetics over the years.

Colleen met the love of her life, Jack Lawrence Leinen, Sr., in 1960, and the couple later married in the fall of 1961 in Des Moines, Iowa. After marriage, Colleen was primarily a homemaker for her family. She enjoyed gardening and was an avid Iowa State Cyclone fan. Colleen’s greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved attending all their events, sports, and music programs.

Colleen liked old country music. She loved all her pets, especially her dogs, Sadie and Bailey. Colleen was an active member of the East High Alumni Association.

She is survived by her six children, Sandra Baum (Bruce), Jackie Stroud, Jill Babcock (Dennis), Clyde Stroud, Jr. (Barbara), John Stroud (Christina), and Jack Leinen, Jr.; her ten grandchildren, Jason Baum (Miah), Allison Baum, Jessica Benavidez, Travis Hopkins, Nicholas Babcock (Kaylee Sciachitano), Katie Stroud, Kara Stodden (Ben), Kelli Stroud, Megan Schultz (Jon), and Eric Stroud (Chase Thompson); fourteen great-grandchildren, Lucy Baum, Leo Baum, Micaela Benavidez, José Benavidez, Juliana Brown, Julian Brown, Nasya Brown, Brandon Hopkins, Michael Hopkins, Dakota Hopkins, Aaron Renda, Kaden Bickford, Isla Schultz, and Everly Schultz; her sister, Donna Letze (Bill); and many loving nieces, nephews, other extended family and friends.

Colleen was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Leinen, Sr.; parents, Roy and Violet Coppick; and her eight siblings, Ruth Harrier, Anna Mae Coppick, Harvey Coppick, Herman Coppick, Kenneth Coppick, Richard “Dick” Coppick, Ronald “Ronnie” Coppick, and LeRoy Coppick.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 25, 2022, also at Hamilton’s, and will conclude with burial at Sunset Memorial Gardens. There will be a reception at Hamilton’s following the burial.

Contributions may be directed to the family for a future designation.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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