Leon Dorpinghaus

Leon David, son of Hubert and Victoria (Broich) Dorpinghaus was born on December 8, 1939 in Scranton, Iowa. He attended Catholic school in Coon Rapids through the 10th grade and then decided that the U.S. Army sounded better, so he enlisted in the U.S. Army in Fort Knox, Kentucky. Through the Army Leon earned his GED and worked as a radio teletype team chief until his discharge after four years of service. On May 4, 1968, Leon was united in marriage with Bernita Rudolph at Annunciation Church in Coon Rapids. The couple made their home in Coon Rapids where Leon worked as a painter with Don Smouse until he was hired by Harris Hess of Garst and Thomas Seeds. Leon then painted with Don "Boogie" Bowman for ten years until he decided to be a self-employed painter until his retirement. Leon enjoyed bowling, fishing and camping. He was a member of the American Legion and the V.F.W. On April 11, 2010, Leon suffered a massive stroke and was transported to Carroll before being taken to Des Moines. There, Leon died at Iowa Methodist Medical Center at the age of 70 years, 4 months and 3 days. He was preceded in death by his parents, father and mother-in-law Raymond and Agnes Rudolph; brothers Ed Dorpinghaus and wife Betty and Eugene Dorpinghaus; sister Marie Dorpinghaus in infancy and brothers-in-law Dale "Rudy" Rudolph and John Hoffmann. Leon is survived by his wife Bernita Dorpinghaus of Coon Rapids; sons: Marty Dorpinghaus, Steve Dorpinghaus and Bobby Dorpinghaus and wife Denise, all of Coon Rapids; brothers Jim Dorpinghaus and wife Doris of Turlock, California and Melvin Dorpinghaus and wife Mary Lou of Maumelle, Arkansas; sisters: Margaret and husband Bob Meis of Surprise, Arizona; Mary and husband Ed Heisterkamp of Coon Rapids; Carol and husband John Kirby of Carroll and Judy Laubscher of Boone; sisters-in-law: Shirley and husband Eugene Simmons of Coon Rapids; Betty and husband Gerald Simmons of Guthrie Center; Donna Hoffmann of Coon Rapids; Darlene Rudolph of Coon Rapids; Diane and husband Bob Richards of Coon Rapids and Sandy and husband Randy Clipperton of Bayard; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Celebrant REVEREND ANTHONY PICK ASSISTED BY DEACON LOUIS MEINERS Lector CARLENE DORPINGHAUS Gift Bearers MEL AND MARY LOU DORPINGHAUS Music "AMAZING GRACE" "ON EAGLE'S WINGS" "THE OLD RUGGED CROSS" ANNUNCIATION CHOIR FAYE SEIDL, ORGANIST Casket Bearers MIKE RUDOLPH DAVID SPOO EDWIN HEISTERKAMP ERIC HEISTERKAMP DALE HALBUR DOUG HALBUR Honorary Casket Bearers LEON'S FELLOW LEGIONARIES