Leo A. “Pete” Ciesielski

BYRON, CIESIELSKI, MCINTEER, RIDDER, SHANNON, SMITH

Posted By: Cindy (email)
Date: 1/3/2026 at 13:18:31

Leo A. “Pete” Ciesielski, 81, of Independence, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at the Buchanan County Health Center in Independence.

Pete was born on February 16, 1944, in Independence, Iowa, the son of Joseph A. and Lorraine M. (Byron) Ciesielski. He grew up in rural Jesup and graduated from Jesup High School in 1963. Following high school, Pete attended Auto Mechanic Trade School in Omaha, Nebraska. He returned to eastern Iowa where he worked as a mechanic in Jesup, before beginning a long and dedicated career at John Deere in Waterloo. Pete worked in the assembly plant for over thirty-two years, retiring in 1998.

Never one to slow down, Pete spent his retirement years working in maintenance at West Village in Independence for 16 years, along with mowing lawns and other handyman services for many in the community.

On April 19, 1980, Pete was united into marriage with Liola Smith at the VFW in Independence, Iowa. Throughout their marriage, they loved to travel and visit their children who lived out of state. A favorite trip was to Italy to visit their son, John, who was stationed there for the Air Force. Their trip to Jamaica included climbing Dunn’s River Falls, was another favorite. There were also numerous camping trips with the family where Pete loved to cook for everyone over the open fire.

Pete was truly one of a kind. He was a great husband and dad who shared a special, loving bond with each member of his family. He could strike up a conversation with anyone. It seemed no matter where his travels took him across the country, he would randomly run into someone he had once worked with. Pete especially cherished time with his grandchildren, often taking them during the summers for trips to zoos, parks, and countless video game adventures in the basement. He was also their biggest fan, cheering them on at their many sporting events. For many years, during Christmas he proudly dressed as Santa Claus, spreading joy and smiles to all who saw him.

Pete is survived by his wife of 45 years, Liola Ciesielski of Independence; his children, Scott (Tricia Hart) Ciesielski of Lynchburg, Tennessee; Rick (Dawn) Ciesielski of Rowley; Jodi (Mike) Ridder of Independence; John (Adrian Abellera) McInteer of Chicago, Illinois; and Jason (Annmarie Kmetz) McInteer of Payson, Arizona; seven grandchildren, Brandon (Rosie), Cady, Austin (Ashley), and Mitch Ciesielski; Tyler (Mia Calcaterra) Adams; Cameron (Kennedy Collins) Ridder, and Brayden Ridder; six great-grandchildren; two brothers, Bob Ciesielski and Tom (Sharon) Ciesielski; a sister-in-law, Bev Ciesielski; his mother-in-law, Miriam Smith; a sister-in-law, Joyce (Glenn) Shannon; a brother-in-law, Scott (Carol) Smith; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Lorraine Ciesielski; two brothers, Bill and Dave Ciesielski; a sister, Joyce Ciesielski; his father-in-law, Lloyd Smith; and two sisters-in-law, Sally and Darlene Ciesielski.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 1, 2026, from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM, with a Parish Vigil Service at 7:00 PM, at the Reiff Family Center – Funeral Home in Independence.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, January 2, 2026, at 10:30 AM, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Independence.

Burial will follow at St. Athanasius Cemetery in Jesup, Iowa.