Leo Lodholz

Leo C. Lodholz, 65, of Hazleton, Iowa, died at his home on Tuesday, January 16, 2024.

Leo's life will be celebrated Earth Day weekend, 2024. A graveside service will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Saint Mary's Catholic Cemetery on Hayes Street in Hazleton, Iowa. Friends and family are welcomed out to the farm afterwards to share memories and stories, enjoy food and drinks, and stroll the trails where Leo enjoyed himself most.
Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home, Oelwein, is assisting with Leo’s arrangements.
Final Resting Place: St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Hazleton, Iowa.
Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com

Leo Chadwick Lodholz was born August 19, 1958, in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Peter Orville & Mary Leota (Gerstenberger) Lodholz. Leo graduated from Ankeny High School in the class of 1976. He received his associate degree in 1978 from Waldorf University in Forest City and his Bachelor of Business Administration in 1980 from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. Leo was an accountant, loan officer and investment manager at Capital View Credit Union in Des Moines for 28 years. He moved to Hazleton, to the family farm, following his retirement. Leo was a member of the Capital Masonic Lodge #110 and the Scottish Rite 32nd Degree both in Des Moines.

Our friend Leo (or Chad, or Leo Chad-- it depended on how you knew him) parted from this physical world last week. He passed at home on the farm after a typical day; a trip to Oelwein, three new books from the library and a stop to visit with friends at Fat Boy’s in Hazelton. Like his late father Peter, Leo stood tall and walked gently upon the earth. Leo’s presence alone was enough to brighten any room he entered, and he made friends wherever he went. His friendships in Hazleton and the Amish community are countless and enduring. Over the decades Leo kept in touch with his friends everywhere; from Iowa, from nearly every US state, and his friends from around the globe. Leo was thoughtful like his mother, Mary (Gussie). He wrote letters and sent cards that were sure to make you smile and probably laugh too. Starting with the first Earth Day celebration at the farm more than 30 years ago, Leo brought together friends and family to share in camaraderie and continued stewardship of the land. They planted trees and wildflowers, cleared trails and did projects around the farm. Leo has continued the conservation efforts planting and tending to 14,000 new trees in 2020. Leo was kind, giving, and infinitely welcoming. “Come in, sit down, relax!” Leo enjoyed visitors and always made time for anyone who would drop by. He was an interesting person who continued to learn and enjoyed reading and traveling. He always had something interesting to share and you could count on a few good laughs. Leo loved the outdoors. He liked to hunt and enjoyed meandering and maintaining his Dad’s trails around the farm. Any time spent around a blazing campfire with Leo was a guaranteed good time.

Leo is survived by his cousins and friends.

Leo was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, John.