Calvin Leaders

Calvin Earl Leaders Jr. was born on July 16, 1919, to Calvin and Mabel (Pflug) Leaders in Minden, Iowa. Calvin was raised on a farm near Minden and attended school in Bently. He then joined the United States Army on August 26, 1942, and was honorably discharged on December 10, 1945. On December 14, 1946, Calvin married Dorothy Pleas at the home of his parents near Minden. Calvin and Dorothy started farming near Bently and then moved to Underwood to continue to farm. In 1962, the couple moved to Dunlap and purchased International Harvester with Gerald and Ardythe Leaders. Calvin co-owned and operated Leaders Equipment Company until he retired.

Calvin enjoyed his family and friends and he was very active with his church. He served on several church and community boards in Underwood, Neola, and Dunlap, Iowa. He enjoyed each spring and summer at the cabin on Spirit Lake.

Calvin died on December 12, 2012, at Rose Vista Nursing Home in Woodbine, Iowa at the age of 93 years, four months, and 26 days.

Calvin was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Dorothy Leaders on October 26, 2011; brothers, Vernon, Lloyd, Gerald and Wayne Leaders; and sister, Ilene Applegate. He is survived by his four children, Connie (Gary) Jetter of Ankeny, IA, Richard Leaders of Urbandale, IA, Peggy (George) Ellis of Hardin, MO, Mark (Heidi) of Omaha, NE; five grandchildren, Scott (Brandi) Ellis, Kirsten (Joe) Manchester, Jason (Carrie) Leaders, Nicholas Leaders and David Leaders; six great grandchildren, Gracie, Mollie, and Sophie Ellis, Kylie and Dannica Manchester and Liam Leaders; two brothers and two sisters, Ken Leaders and Lowell (Phyllis) Leaders all of Minden, IA Gladys White of Oakland, IA, Lou Ellen "Tootie" Graalfs of Council Bluffs, IA; two sisters-in-law, Wanda Leaders of Council Bluffs, IA, Ardythe Leaders of Dunlap, IA; and many other relatives and friends.