Leo Morris Altemeier of Grinnell went to meet his Lord and Savior on December 18, 2022. He was 85 years old. The family is saddened by his death and grieving his loss. Leo wasborn on July 27, 1937, in Newton, Iowa, to Morris and Beulah (Anderson) Altemeier. He was raised on the family farm near Newburg and graduated from Newburg High School with the Class of 1955.

Leo attended Grinnell College to run cross-country and play basketball. Over the course of his life, he worked in road construction, monument sales, product sales, and roofing, but his real love was farming. In 1981, he and his wife, Arvilla, purchased a farm near Malcom, Iowa where he farmed until he retired in 2019. Leo loved hunting, fishing, and playing cards with family and friends. Leo never knew a stranger, and his door was always open. The cast of characters coming through his door and the banter that followed would give any TV sitcom a run for its money.

Leo's antics were legendary and the makings of many a good story. He said what he meant and meant what he said. His favorite saying was, "If you do what I say, how I say, and when I say, then we will get along just fine." Those who knew him, know exactly what this means! He enjoyed people, and his eyes would twinkle bright blue when trying to get someone riled up – mainly members of his family. Leo loved visiting with his family and getting the inside scoop on everything.

Leo leaves behind his wife, Arvilla (Wyland), to whom he was married on November 19, 1966, his daughters Tamara (Dennis) Beebe, Tonya (Jeff) Harklau, Tara (Jeff) Warren, and son Todd (Joanne) Altemeier; grandsons Brent Beebe, Joshua Harklau, Cole Harklau, and Logan Warren; granddaughters Tiffany Gleason; Brooke Beebe, Mindi O'Hern, Ryan Owen, Hannah Altemeier, Andie Altemeier, and Lael Warren; 22 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

He is survived by his sisters Janice Sherlock, Karen Henderson, Lavonne (Richard) Gosselink, brother Doyle "Butch" (Janet) Altemeier, many nieces and nephews, extended family, and friends that will miss him dearly.

He was predeceased by his parents, Morris and Beulah Altemeier; brothers Clarence "Dwane" Altemeier, Earl Altemeier, Clyde "Tiger" Altemeier; sister-in-laws Carolyn "Sue" Altemeier and Marlene Altemeier; and brother-in-laws Robert Sherlock, Richard "Bruce" Craddock, and William "Bill" Henderson.

Visitation with the Altemeier family will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 Friday afternoon, January 6th at the Smith Funeral Home.  A private family service will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 7th at the Smith Funeral Home followed by a public lunch and fellowship at the Grinnell Elks Lodge.