The son of Alphonse and Helen LaKose Thys, Leonard was born May 1, 1921, in Honey Creek Township, Iowa County, Iowa. He was raised in the area and was a 1939 graduate of Hartwick High School. Leonard was married to Marguerite Peggy Fitzgerald on February 9, 1944, at St. Michael Catholic church in Belle Plaine. The couple farmed with Leonard's parents north of Victor. they later purchased the farm and continued farming until 1977 when they retired and moved to Victor. Although retired, he remained active the farming. Leonard was a retired member of the Hartwick Fire Department with 14 years of service, a 4th Degree member of the Victor Knights of Columbus, an Iowa County A.S.C.S. Committe man for approximately 9 yars where he served as chairman, and a member of the Iowa County Board of Supervisors for 8 years. He served on the Iowa county Mental Health Board and was an Iowa County Civil Defense Volunteer. He was a member of St. Bridget Catholic Church where he served as lector and was a CCD teacher for many years. As a result of his farming practices, he received many conservation awards. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodworking and dancing. He also enjoyed a good cribbage game and like to watch baseball. Survivors include is children, Judy Sloan of Cedar Rapids, Joan Doran of Victor, Kathy Rashid of Merritt Island, Florida, Jim "Carp" Thys of Victor and Ray Thys of Marion; a special fried, Pear Conant of Tipton; one brother and sister, Richard Thys of Belle Plaine and Margaret DeMeulenaere of Brooklyn; 15 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Leonard died July 7, 2004, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, at the age of 83. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Marguerite "Peggy"; one daughter, Luann Marie Thys, who died at the age of 2; and one grandson, Doug Doran, who died at the age of 26.