Leonard DePhillips Obituary

Our loving father, Leonard Charles DePhillips of Clive, Iowa, has gone to heaven (November 20, 2025) to watch after his beloved family. Leonard is survived by his daughters, Jeanette DePhillips (her husband Rick Hall) and Len'Ann Frisch (her husband Steve). He is also survived by his granddaughter, Sienna; grandsons, Frank (wife Amanda) and Devin (wife Taylor); two great granddaughters, Gabriella and Annabella and great grandson, Leonardo.

Leonard was born in Des Moines, Iowa on November 16, 1927, to Frank and Jenny DePhillips. Leonard had seven siblings and grew up in 4 Mile Township in Des Moines. Leonard married the love of his life, Ann Marie Grasso on September 28, 1947. He was very adventurous and dabbled in many business ventures, primarily in construction. He started DBI Construction and operated D-Len Construction. He loved waking up for work every day. Leonard even did some wildcat drilling for oil in Tennessee and Kentucky. He also served as a Fire Fighter with Fire Station #1 in Des Moines. Leonard had many accomplishments, to include putting in the first bicycle trail in Des Moines, from the Des Moines River to West Des Moines. Leonard also served in the U.S. Army during WWII.

When it was too cold to work in Iowa, he and Ann enjoyed wintering in Florida. More recently, Leonard found joy in sitting in his gazebo visiting with neighbors and friends. When Leonard wasn't socializing, he enjoyed being in his basement kitchen baking his famous Italian bread. He loved sharing his bread with his neighbors, with the church and made bread for holidays and funerals for family and friends. His daughters have been taking turns being at home with him, providing extra support and care for the last several months. Over the last few weeks Leonard's family and friends have surrounded him with love. With that support he was able to stay at home and celebrate his 98th birthday.

Leonard was preceded in death by his wife Ann, after 70 years of marriage, on October 16, 2017. His beloved son, Frank Leonard DePhillips, passed away on August 17, 2019, who he dearly missed every single day.

The family would like to say a special thank you to the relatives and neighbors who have been the village surrounding Leonard and his girls with love and support.

In lieu of flowers, memorials should be directed to St. Theresa Catholic Church Building Fund.

A celebration of life mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, December 1, 2025, at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Catholic Church, 1230 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines. Interment will be at Glendale Cemetery, Des Moines. Visitation will be held from 1-3 p.m., Sunday, November 30, 2025, at Iles Westover Chapel, 6337 Hickman Road, Des Moines, with a time for sharing at 3pm, followed by a rosary.

The mass will be livestreamed. Livestream link will be available on the church Facebook page: St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Catholic Church. Online condolences are welcome at www.IlesCares.com.

Arrangements by Iles Westover Chapel.

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