Ralph Anthony Leto

March 13, 1944 — January 05, 2025

Ralph Leto

Service Details

Ralph Anthony Leto was born March 13, 1944. He was born to Ralph Joseph and Victoria
(DeFrancisco) Leto. Ralph was the oldest of six children raised on the south side of Des
Moines. He graduated from Dowling High School class of 1962, later meeting his wife Jane
Marie Steele and marrying in 1968. He worked for R.R.Donnelly, and was a member of the Iowa
Air National Guard.

After retiring from both of these roles, Ralph found many ways to occupy his time. He dedicated
a lot of time to his church, being a lector, administering communion to the sick, and being a
member of the choir. He also volunteered time at the American Legion Post 659, Bellizzi
MacRae. He loved watching or listening to Dowling High School football games with his siblings
and supporting his grandchildren in all their extra curricular activities. Ralph provided a great
deal of support and love to his family and close friends, many of whom depended on his regular
check ins and real life advice.

Ralph is survived by his wife of 56 years, Jane (Steele), his siblings Anthony (Mary) Leto of Des Moines, Iowa, Victoria (David) Pruin of Dike, Iowa and Patricia Fazio of Des Moines, Iowa, his children Brian (Julie) Leto of
Pasadena, California, Bridget (Peter) Barnett of New Prague, Minnesota, Elizabeth (Dan) Zyla
of Aurora, Colorado, Anthony (Meghan) Leto of West Des Moines, Iowa and his grandchildren
Samantha, Caleb, Joseph, Bella, Jordan, Ethan and Amelia, and his beloved dog Pico.

He is preceded in death by his mother Victoria, father Ralph Joseph, and brothers Samuel and
Paul.

Visitation will be held Monday, January 13, 2025 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm with the Rosary prayed at 7:00 pm at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Tuesday, January 14th at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 15 Indianola Road. Ralph will be laid to rest at Glendale Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one these following important charities:
Wreaths Across America
https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org
Special Olympics
https://specialolympics.org
Saint Anthony’s School Tuition assistance
info@stanthonydsm.org

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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