Leonard Francis Desmet

Larchwood, Iowa Leonard DeSmet, age 80 of Larchwood, IA died Saturday, October 13, 2007 at the Fellowship Village Care Center in Inwood, IA Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM, Tuesday, Oct. 16th at The Church of St. Mary in Larchwood, IA, with Fr. Jeff Schleisman as Celebrant. Burial will follow at the Larchwood Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, Oct. 15th from 2 " 8 PM, with the family present from 6- 8 PM at The Church of St. Mary in Larchwood. There will be a 7:00 PM Vigil service Monday evening at the church. Roste Funeral Home of Larchwood is in charge of arrangements. Leonard Francis DeSmet was born on December 22, 1926 near Larchwood, the son of Alfonso and Margaret (Schettler) DeSmet. Leonard was raised on farms by Larchwood and gradutated from St. Marys High School in 1944. After graduation he farmed near Larchwood with his father Al and his twin brother Bernard. On January 9, 1954, Leonard was united in marriage to Mary Ann Kloiber at St. Josephs Cathedral in Sioux Falls, SD. The couple moved to the farm north of Larchwood and Leonard continued to farm and operated a custom corn shelling business with his brother Bernard. Leonard and his wife Mary Ann moved to Larchwood in 1994. Mary Ann died on April 7, 1998. Leonard enjoyed farming, playing cards, bowling, antique tractors and socializing. He was particularly fond of dogs. His friends marveled at his ability to train dogs to herd livestock and do tricks. He was a member of The Church of St. Mary and the Optimist Club both in Larchwood and a member of the Order of the Moose in Sioux Falls, SD. Leonard is survived by his mother, Margaret DeSmet of Larchwood; three sons, Timothy of Sheldon, IA, Mark of Larchwood and Paul (wife Stacy) of Taft, TN; one daughter, Elaine (husband Michael) DeCesare of San Antonio, TX; four grandchildren, Matt and Maria DeCesare of San Antonio and Alice and Ben DeSmet of Taft, TN; special friend, Betty Kramer of Larchwood; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Al, one brother Bernard, one sister Gerrie Rabuch and his wife Mary Ann.