John Ferneau Leinen

John "Jack" Ferneau Leinen, 83, of Hampton, Iowa, passed away Thursday, January 22, 2015, at Franklin General Hospital in Hampton, Iowa. Jack was born on September 17, 1931, in Highland Township, Tama County, Iowa, to Leon W. and Wilma (Ferneau) Leinen. He graduated from St. Patrick's Catholic High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Jack was united in marriage to Violet Joy Thorson on June 11, 1952, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He served his country in the United States Air Force Airman First Class, and served in the Naval Reserve and the Army Reserve. Jack worked for the Polk County Attorney's Office until he retired. He was a member of the Dows Golf Course and the American Legion. Jack loved to write and wrote several published short stories and two books, "Dreams of Days Gone By" (a collection of short stories) and, "Swimming Naked" (a memoir of the time he lived with his Grandparents in Sibley, Iowa after his mother's death). He was currently working on a fictional novel about a minister who takes over a rundown mission near Ojibwe Territory in Minnesota. When not writing, Jack could be found at the Dows Golf Course agonizing over his game or watching the Minnesota Vikings agonizing over their game. Jack is survived by his wife Violet Joy Leinen of Hampton, daughter Jaci Leinen-Cowart of Ankeny, daughter Jerre Grefe-Rust and husband Kevin of Hampton, daughter-in-law Cindy Leinen of Albert Lea, Minnesota, grandchildren Amber Cahill and husband Tim, Josh Cowart and wife Lisa, Jodee Strub and husband Mark, Tanner Grefe and wife Tonya, Levi Grefe and significant other Diamond Dvorak, Justin Leinen and Jobe Hinders, great-grandchildren Tyler, Carter, Jack, Ashley, Sam, Louie, Aria, Brittany, Andrew, Kennedy, Keegan, Jordan, Marcus, Mason, Trevor, Jacob, Olivia, Taya, Taylor, Drake, Madison, Lilly, Caden and Mason, great-great-grandchild Henley and his constant companion, dog Pepper. Jack was preceded in death by his parents, sons Jody and Jeffe, sister Shirley and son-in-law Doug Grefe. . . . As he stepped away he paused and turned back. "I know, me lad, it seems you've come a long ruud, and it'll be a long ruud before ye be home again. So enjoy the journey, and make the most of it." . . . (from "Swimming Naked") Jack's wishes were to have his body donated to the Des Moines University Body Donor Program. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, January 25, 2015, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., at Harriman's Park, 324 19th Ave NE, Hampton.

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John Ferneau Leinen

September 17, 1931 - January 22, 2015