Leslie "Les" Laverne Ohl

Leslie “Les” Laverne Ohl, 87, of Strawberry Point, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, December 12, 2021, at his home. He was born on June 28, 1934, in Oelwein, the son of Bert and Blanche (Mahanna) Ohl.  Les was raised and educated in Oelwein. He was a member of the Iowa National Guard and was a former Lieutenant Colonel stationed at the Oelwein National Guard Post.

In 1955, Les was married to Betty Jensen. Four children were born to this union. They were later divorced. Les worked many years in Cedar Rapids and retired from Cedar Rapids Sheet Metal.

Les was a member of the Mission in Christ Lutheran Church in Strawberry Point, that he and Marge were proud to have helped build.  He was also a member of El Kahir Shrine and was a Mason. Les loved to hunt, spend time outdoors and bowling.

Survivors include his longtime friend, Marge Downs of Strawberry Point; his two children, Dana (Dave) Meyers of Oelwein and Denise (Mark) Ballo of Ankeny; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; Marge’s children, Kyle (Kim) Downs of Hiawatha, Shari (Marc) Downs of Chariton, and Lori (Kevin) Oberle of Waterloo; Marge’s 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; his daughter-in-law, Cheryl Ohl of Oelwein; a sister-in-law, Patricia Ohl of Independence; and many nieces and nephews.

Les was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Brad Ohl; his daughter and son-in-law, Lori and Rick Ernst; a great-grandson, Lincoln Grundmeyer; his six brothers, Phillip (Lillian) Ohl, Clyde (Essie) Ohl, LeRoy (Myrna) Ohl, Walter (Eileene, Marion) Ohl, Robert Ohl, and Marshall Ohl; and his six sisters, Daisy (Albert) Strempke, Mabel (Virgil) Campbell, Ada (Leslie) Fleming, Donna (Walter) Fish, Laura (Clyde) Bates, and Isabel (Donald) McMillan.

Memorials may be directed to Mission in Christ Lutheran Church in Strawberry Point.

Because of COVID-19, masks are required at the church.

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