In Memory of Rhett Leonard

Rhett Leonard, age 68, of Ida Grove, Iowa, passed away in his home surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, July 18, 2026, in Ida Grove, Iowa.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 24, 2026, with Visitation held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 23, 2026, all services will be held in the Ida Grove Skate Palace in Ida Grove, Iowa, with Pastor Shari O’Bannon officiating. A Private Family Inurnment will be held in the Holstein Cemetery in Holstein, Iowa.

Per Rhett’s request, casual attire is encouraged at his Celebration of Life.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements.  Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Rhett Leonard passed away peacefully at home on July 18, 2026, after a 13-month battle with brain cancer. Prior to his illness, he had a passion for biking, conservation, and his community, and was loved and respected by so many people.

He was born on November 29, 1957 in Cherokee, Iowa, son of George and Dolores (Thompson) Leonard. He grew up on a farm north of Holstein and was baptized and confirmed in the Holstein Methodist Church. Growing up, he participated in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and achieved Life Rank & Order of the Arrow. He played football in High School and is a proud graduate of the small but mighty Holstein Class of 1976.

Rhett graduated from Iowa Lakes Community College in 1978 and worked for area farmers until being hired in May 1979 as Director of Ida County Conservation Board. On April 24, 1982 he was married to Kathy Ellingson in Atlantic, Iowa. To this union, two daughters were born, Shelly Dee and Kelsey Ann.

He worked for the Ida County Conservation Board for 35 years and was instrumental in the development of Crawford Creek Recreational Area. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Ida County Conservation Foundation and played a key role in getting the Conservation Center at Moorehead Park built in 2013.

Throughout his time in Ida Grove, he was very involved in the community and surrounding area. He served as Chairman of Ida County Betterment Foundation, served on the Board of Directors for Lakeshore Center on Okoboji, and served as Chairman of the Iowa Association of County Conservation Boards, District III. He was also on the Board of Directors of the original local chapter of Ida County Pheasants Forever, a position he held for 25 years.

In September 2014, he was appointed Ida County Supervisor and was elected and served two terms. As supervisor he served as chairman of Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Public Safety and Siouxland Regional Transit. He was able to see the opening of the new EMS building in Ida Grove, a cause that was very important to him.

Rhett was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church where he was a youth group leader, an elder, and served on church session for 3 terms.

He was also a member of Ida Grove Kiwanis where he served as past chairman and a member of Ida Grove Kiwanis Foundation. He served on the Splash Pad committee in Ida Grove and was honored to be chosen to “push the button” when the pad opened in 2025.

Rhett rode in 17 RAGBRAIs where he was part of Team “Ciha Pet” and formed many lifelong friends with other “crazy” bikers. After retiring from the parks, he started his own business out of his garage called Rhett’s Bike Clinic, where he operated a bicycle repair shop for 10 years before closing due to his illness.

The past ten years he and his brother Greg have tended to their 80 acres of land planted with native prairie grasses, wildflowers and food plots to create habitat for deer, pheasant and so many other of God’s creatures. This was his passion and created wonderful memories of time spent with Greg.

In his free time, he enjoyed time with family (especially the grandchildren), biking, camping, and hanging out in his bike shop and wood shop.

Rhett is survived by his wife Kathy; daughter Shelly (Matt) Herron of Austin, TX; daughter Kelsey Leonard (Kai Fiewig) of Seattle, WA; 4 grandchildren - Eli, Melanie, Juan, and Eben Rhett of Austin; 3 brothers Greg (Renee) of Correctionville, Kirby (Patti) of Lake Conroe, Texas and Jarrod (Monica) of Conifer, Colorado; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Jim (Neala) Ellingson of West Des Moines; brother-in-law Steve of Des Moines and sister-in-law Connie Ellingson of Ames; several nieces and nephews and many cousins, including his “Sis Lori”.

He is preceded in death by his parents and grandparents, parents-in-law and brother-in-law, Chuck Ellingson.

Although Rhett’s intentions were to donate as many of his major organs as he could when he was gone, his illness changed those plans but he was able to donate his eyes and tissue with the hopes of helping others.

Memorials will be directed to Ida County EMS to be used for equipment purchases and Glioblastoma Brain Tumor Research at Mayo Clinic.

Per Rhett’s request, casual attire is encouraged at his Celebration of Life.