CALKINS, Leonard M.

CALKINS, ANDERSON, BEIER, SWANSON, EDWARDS, CARROLL, HARRINGTON, CAPITANI, SMITH, COLE

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 11/3/2016 at 11:55:22

Obituary ~ Leonard M. Calkins
October 13, 1919 ~ Febuary 03, 2005

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
February 06, 2005

MASON CITY — Leonard M. Calkins, 85, of 802 16th St. N.E. in Mason City, died Thursday (Feb. 3, 2005) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. today at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue in Mason City with the Rev. Kathy Graves, Director of Spiritual Care Hospice of North Iowa, officiating. Interment will be in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery. Full military rites will be conducted by the Mason City Veterans Memorial Association.

Visitation was held Sunday at Major Erickson Funeral Home.

Memorials may be given to the Leonard M. Calkins Memorial Fund.

Leonard was born Oct. 13, 1919, in Swaledale, the son of Frank and Mable (Anderson) Calkins. He married Bernice "Bee" Beier on March 19, 1939, in Manly.

Leonard entered the service in 1942. He served in the Army's 10th Mountain Division in Italy and Africa. While in combat, he helped Bob Dole off the battlefield after Dole had been wounded. Some years later, U.S. Sen. Dole, R-Kansas, visited Leonard at the television station here in Mason City. Following his honorable discharge in 1945, Leonard returned home, serving in the National Guard for nine years. He attained the rank of master sergeant.

Leonard worked for KGLO (now KIMT) Television for 35 years. He was a cameraman then received his electronic engineering degree.

Leonard was a member of the Moose Lodge, VFW Post No. 733 and the American Legion. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing and pool.

Leonard is survived by two daughters: Sharon R. Swanson and husband, Bill, of Northwood, Linda K. Edwards and husband, Joe D. Carroll, of Minneapolis, Minn.; grandchildren: Jody L. Harrington and husband, Troy, of St. Charles, Ill., Trudy L. Capitani and husband, Dave, of Northwood, Cale Y. Edwards and special friend, Michelle Smith, of Savage, Minn.; great grandchildren: Weston and Vaughn Harrington, Spencer and Chandler Capitani; twin brother, Leland "Dude" Calkins and wife, Janiece, of Mason City; nephews, Leon Calkins of Tucson, Ariz., Cecil Calkins and wife, Peggy, of Granger; special friend, Juanita Cole of Clear Lake.

Leonard's parents; wife, Bernice; and brothers, Forest and Francis, preceded him in death.

Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory, (641) 423-0924.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, November of 2016