Leon David Koenen

Leon David Koenen, the son of George and Naomi (Davis) Koenen, was born February 13, 1934, in Manitou Springs, Colorado and died February 13, 2020, at his home in West Des Moines, Iowa at the age of 86 years.
When Leon was young the family moved to California where he grew up. He attended the El Monte community schools and high school. In 1952, when Leon turned 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. During his tour of duty he served on the U.S.S. Bradford. He first was a gunner then was sent to training and became a signalman. Leon was honorably discharged in 1956 and returned home. He completed his GED then attended California State University, Los Angeles where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Arts and later his Master’s Degree. Leon taught in the Pomona High School in Pomona, California. This is where he met his future wife Nita Holland.
On March 15, 1969, he was united in marriage to Nita Holland at a church in San Dimas, California. Leon continued to teach at the Pomona High School for a short time then taught at the Los Amigos High School in Santa Ana, California. They moved to San Luis Obispo, California and Leon taught at the High School there until he was able to retire. An opportunity arose and Leon taught High School in Prague for a year. When he returned to the States he had the chance to be the weekend manager at the San Luis Obispo Historical Society. He continued working there for over fifteen years until he finally retired. They moved to Shell Beach, California where they lived until they sold their home and moved to their new resident in West Des Moines, Iowa in 2018.
Leon was very health conscious and believed in eating properly and exercising. When they lived in California he would walk the beach every day. He became a tremendous cook and would go to the Farmer’s Market to select all the fresh items he would need. Leon enjoyed fishing and playing poker with his friends. He was a music enthusiast and enjoyed attending musicals and concerts. He enjoyed going to the movies and investigating museums and libraries.
Preceding him in death were his parents; his brother Lowell Koenen; his sisters Pamela and husband Homer Howland and RoseMary Henderson; his father-in-law and mother-in-law Palmer and Mabel Hansen; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Wynona and husband Wilbur Hill, Elaine and husband Bob Cromwell, Betty Krantz, Palmer Hansen, Russell Hansen, and Donald Hansen.
Survivors include his wife Nita Koenen of West Des Moines, Iowa; his daughter Diana Koenen and friend Tommy Acevedo of Canyon Lake, California; his step-son Tom and wife Sandy Holland of Audubon, Iowa; his grandsons Louie De La Torre and Mario De La Torre both of Acevedo Lake, California; his step-grandchildren: John Holland of Ames, Iowa, Mark Holland of Audubon, Iowa, Matthew Holland and friend Kristina Reeves of Ames,, Iowa, Charice and husband Randy Britton of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Zach and wife Marye Krajicek of Kimballton, Iowa, and Kayla Hull of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 8 great grandchildren; his sisters-in-law Linda Gancy of Birmingham, Alabama, Bonnie Hansen of Waukee, Iowa, and Kathy Hansen of Ankeny, Iowa; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Following cremation there will be a Celebration of Life Memorial Service at a later date.