Leon W. Smiarowski

Leon W. Smiarowski 74, passed away on Sunday, January 19, 2020 at his home in Humeston, Iowa. Leon was born on April 24, 1945 in San Francisco, California at Children’s Hospital to Stanislaw and Leontina Smiarowski.

Leon was united in marriage to Kathay Lingle on December 18, 1971, in Reno, Nevada. From this union Leon and Kathay had 3 children; Marc (Loresa) Smiarowski of Humeston Iowa, Traci (Mike) Moreno of Littleton, Colorado and Tyler (Erica) Smiarowski of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

In his early years growing up in San Francisco, Leon was an avid athlete. He excelled in boxing, soccer, football, and baseball and he loved working out at the YMCA of San Francisco and running on the beach with his best friend, Irv Rosenberg.

Leon was taught at an early age to work hard and take care of his family. One of his early jobs was a paper route. He also caddied at Presidio Golf Course and held other various jobs to care for his mother, after losing his father at the age of 15. In later years he would work for a few years in the carpentry trade and then he became a journeyman iron worker for Livermore Steel which he enjoyed and spoke fondly of in his later years, telling stories of various structures he worked on in the Bay Area.

In 1980 Leon and his family moved to Lucas, Iowa. There he helped raise his three children that he loved dearly. After moving to Iowa, Leon opened the Lucas Grocery Store and then Ski’s 6 pack bar. In 1983 Leon sold his business and began working at the V.A. Hospital in Knoxville, Iowa, until retirement.

Leon is fondly remembered by those who knew him for his unique sense of humor and his passion for football, particularly the Oakland Raiders.  Leon’s true passion though was his children and grandchildren that he adored. The birth of his grandchildren brought him a new sense of joy and light to his eyes, as he watched them learn and grow.  He showed this by his unwavering love and caring ways for them all.  Leon selflessly sacrificed for his children, always putting their needs far and above his own.  Leon was an exceptional example of what a good man, father, grandpa and friend should be.  He will be sorely missed by us all.

Leon was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Stanley (Betty) Smiarowski, his brother Wesley (Leta) Smiarowski, his nephew Bobby Smiarowski, his nephew Randy Smiarowski, and his niece Lynn Smiarowski.  Leon is survived by his three children, Marc, Traci and Tyler; seven grandchildren, Kelton, Kailey, Kourtney, Madaux, Marli, Brooks and Charlie, with his eighth grandchild due May 7, 2020; nieces Sheryl (Andy) Lawrentz, Lisa (Robert) Von Felden, Susan Smiarowski, Dayna (Tobias) Guillory and nephew Richard Smiarowski all of California. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Humeston Swimming Pool.

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