Leo Classen

Leo Classen, 88, of Des Moines died Monday, October 14, 2013 at The Village at Legacy Pointe in Waukee. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m., Thursday, October 17, 2013 at Ochiltree Funeral Service in Winterset. A visitation will be held prior to services from Noon to 2 p.m., Thursday. Burial will be in the St. Charles Cemetery, St. Charles. Memorials may be directed to the family. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.ochiltree.com. Leo was born in Glen Ullin, North Dakota on June 21, 1925, the son of Mathias and Margaret (Christiansen) Classen. He grew up in Glen Ullin and graduated from high school there in 1942. After graduation he enlisted in the United States Navy where he served with the 17 Wings of Gold as an aerial gunner at Iwo Jima. Leo went on to attend North Dakota State University in Fargo receiving his degree in Mechanical Engineering and later he was offered a full scholarship at Bozeman Montana obtaining his masters. Leo was united in marriage to Patricia McGarvey in 1945 and this union his three children were born and later he married Betty Belle Parks. His first employment after receiving his masters was in Bremerton Washington where he worked with the Bureau of Ships designing chilled and hot water vessels. He then went on to work in Los Alamos, NM with the Atomic Energy Commission and then found his way to Des Moines where he worked for Peterson-Apel. After that he worked in Fort Dodge at the hospital as chief engineer and his last employment was working for the State of Iowa inspecting hospitals and nursing homes. Leo was a member of the V.F.W., Eagles, Amvets and the American Society of Heating and Cooling Professional Engineers as well as the Iowa Society of Heating and Cooling Professional Engineers. When younger Leo enjoyed ice skating, fishing, swimming, cabin camping, bowling and all sports in school and during college he played football, basketball and baseball. When he became a father he coached his daughter’s Lassie League and when retired he enjoyed traveling, dancing and dining out. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Betty Classen of Des Moines; his three children, Nancy (Ernie) Patterson of St. Charles; Sharon Classen of Des Moines; James Leo (Diane) Classen of Warroad, MN; seven grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren. Leo was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers; nine sisters and a grandson, Nicky Classen.