Leonard "Lennie" Ray Whiteside

Leonard (Lennie) Ray Whiteside died peacefully at the Mercy One Hospital in Mason City, IA on January 13^th 2024 with family by his side.

Leonard was born on August 3^rd, 1955 to Kenneth and Kathryn (Jaquis) Whiteside at the Waverly Hospital in Waverly, IA. He was the youngest of three children. Leonard grew up on various farms in the area that his parents rented throughout his early years. He and his siblings had to make their own fun whether it was by Leonard pestering his older siblings or taking adventures in their Radio Flyer Wagon that Leonard and his brother proudly named ‘The Jeep’. In the late 1960’s his family moved into town and into their first home that had running water and a bedroom that, as he would say from time to time, “did not have frost on the blankets in the morning.”

Leonard graduated from Clarksville High School in 1973 and then attended Hawkeye Technical School with a degree in Junior Accounting. Although he never got a job in accounting his love of numbers made it really easy for him to transition into ag and truck parts. Leonard had a variety of jobs through the years, but his knowledge of parts was definitely his niche. During the past 16 years he could have been found in the parts department of Interstate Motor Trucks/NCI, whether it was in Albert Lea or Mason City. Leonard was also very handy when it came to repairs, anything from cars to plumbing – he wasn’t afraid to dig in!

Leonard married Vicki Smith on June 16^th 1979 at First United Methodist Church in Reinbeck, Iowa. They had four children together and made a good life. Leonard loved his family and always made time for advice or dad jokes. Leonard helped reestablish the Boy Scouts in New Richland and was a scout leader for many years. After the couple’s divorce in 2004 Leonard found companionship with a pup named Chase, and wherever Leonard went Chase was in tow until his death in 2016.

Leonard will be dearly missed by his children, Jon (Macy) Whiteside of New Richland, MN, Linn Whiteside (Dalton Mackey) of Owatonna, MN, and Mindi Whiteside (Justin Schroeder) of Aitkin, MN and his grandchildren Adyn, Alex, Levi, Olivia, Kendall, and Ellyah. He will also be dearly missed by his siblings, Kathy (Gene) Jax of Shakopee, MN and Glenn (Diane) Whiteside of Clarksville IA; and his many nieces and nephews.

Leonard is proceeded in death by his parents; his daughter, Kati Whiteside; infant sister, Lola Jean; his nephew, Joey Whiteside; his great nephew, Jake Sievers; and his faithful companion Chase.

A Celebration of Leonard's life will be held on April 27, 2024, from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM at the home of Jon and Macy Whiteside at 14001 260th Ave, New Richland, MN; everyone is welcomed to attend. 

A family graveside service will be held at Harlington Cemetery in Waverly, IA on May 11, 2024.