Rev. Nelo Leto

Reverend Nelo Angelo Leto was born May 19, 1929, in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Ignazio and Josephine (Collo) Leto. He was raised in Des Moines, graduating from St. Anthony Grade School in 1942 and Dowling High School in 1946. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree at Conception Seminary College, Conception, Nodaway, Missouri in 1950 and completed post graduate studies at Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska from 1953-1972.

He was ordained a priest on May 15, 1954 at St. Ambrose Cathedral in Des Moines. His pastoral assignments included Associate Pastor from 1954-1964 at St. Peter & Paul, Atlantic; Christ the King, Des Moines; Assumption, Granger; St. Patrick, Perry; St. Ambrose Cathedral, Des Moines; Basilica of St. John, Des Moines; and Visitation, Des Moines. He served as pastor from 1964-1992 at St. Patrick, Lenox; Sacred Heart, Bedford; St. Mary’s, Guthrie Center; St. Cecelia, Panora; Assumption, Granger; St. Ann, Woodward; St. Clare and also Mental Health Institute, Clarinda; St. Joseph, Villisca; Sacred Heart, Bedford; Basilica of St. John, Des Moines; St. John, Greenfield; St. Mark, Orient; St. Joseph, Earling; St. Peter, Defiance; St. Anthony, Des Moines; and St. Elizabeth Seton, Carlisle.

Other assignments included Diocesan Pastoral Council; Diocesan Holy Year Director Consultor and Regional Coordinator; CFM and REC; Youth Moderator for Des Moines area C.Y.O.; Advocate for Matrimonial Tribunal; Founder and Director of Catholic Youth Camp; Moderator of Study Clubs of Des Moines; Diocesan Director Holy Year Activities with three pilgrimages to Rome, Italy; Chaplain to Young Adult Campion Club, Newman Club, and Catholic Daughters of America; Knights of Columbus; and establishment of Healing Ministry at Basilica of St. John, Des Moines.

He retired after 45 years of service on July 8, 1999, and served as CDA and Mercy Hospital Chaplain until 2011. Besides his spiritual ministries, he was also known for his love of Italian cooking and his many skills with wood, carpentry, and sculpture.

Rev. Nelo passed away on October 1, 2024, at the age of 95. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Joseph and John, his sisters Frances Muller, Rosalie Caponigro, and Sister Mary Anne. Survivors include his brother Sam of Huntsville, Alabama, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The visitation will be at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory in Urbandale on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM with a Rosary at 6:00 PM. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at Basilica of St. John in Des Moines. Burial will follow at Glendale Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Diocese of Des Moines, Iowa or Conception Abbey of Conception Missouri.