Leonard Tipping
May 5, 1931 - March 30, 2026

Leonard Dwight "Tip" Tipping, 94, of Ames, IA passed away Monday, March 30,
2026, surrounded by the love of his family and a lifetime of cherished memories.

A visitation will be held on Friday, April 10, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at
Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care, 414 Lincoln Way in Ames. A Celebration of
Life Service will take place on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Grandon Funeral
and Cremation Care.

Leonard, son of Ellis and Gladys (Nelson) Tipping, was born May 5, 1931, in
Webster City, IA. He attended country school and graduated from Webster City
High School in 1949. Following high school, Leonard worked on the family farm
with his father for two years. He then decided to join the Navy, where he proudly
served his country during the Korean War as part of the Pacific Fleet on the USS
Passumpsic. After his military service, he returned home and worked various jobs
in construction, eventually leading to work as a finish carpenter. He then began
working at a lumber yard, which would end up being his lifelong career.

On November 27, 1955, he was united in marriage to Carleen Rae Ewing at the
Webster City Church of Christ. The couple made their first home in Webster City.
Leonard spent his entire life committed to the Lord. After moving to Ames, he and
Carleen were charter members and instrumental in starting a new Church of Christ
congregation.

Leonard began working for Schoeneman Lumber Company in Ames, where he
eventually became manager. In 1978, he and Carleen took a leap of faith and
purchased Indianola Building Center, a lumber and hardware store they proudly
owned and operated together for the next twenty years, serving their community
side-by-side. Leonard was active as a lumberman and served as Chairman of the
Iowa Lumberman's Association and the Northwestern Lumber Association. In
2000, they returned to Ames to be closer to family and friends and enjoyed
attending many Iowa State Cyclone basketball and football games.

Throughout his life, Leonard was focused on serving others. He was an active
member of the Lions Club, where he served as a District Governor for two years,
and as a Trustee of the Lions Clubs of Iowa Foundation for three years. He was
instrumental in starting the Ames Breakfast Lions Club. He took special interest in
the Lions Leader Dogs for the Blind program and Lions Kidsight USA. Leonard was a
recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award, the highest form of recognition for
service as a Lion.

Blessed with three children, Leonard was a proud father, grandfather and great-
grandfather, roles he embraced with deep love and commitment. He will be
remembered for his loving kindness, sense of humor, service to others and his
Kringla cookies.

Leonard will be dearly missed by his children: Michelle Carter of Branson, MO;
Kent (Joann) Tipping of Urbandale, IA; Gina (Nathan) Jordebrek of Ames; seven
grandchildren: Conner (Meredith) Tipping, Quinn (Faye) Tipping, Danielle Carter,
Kersten (Jack) Daubitz, Lucas Carter, Caitlin Tipping, and Jaxon Jordebrek; five
great-grandchildren: Francis Tipping, Doris Tipping, Hadlee Lawrence, Benjamin
Tipping, and Luna Carter; brother Ervin (Jan) Tipping of Central Point, OR; sister
Charlene Burgin of Rock Hill, SC; sister-in-law Gloria Ewing of Allerton, IA; and
numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 69 years, Carleen; grandson
Colin Michael Tipping; his parents Ellis and Gladys Tipping; brother Elton Tipping
and sister-in-law Joyce Miller; sister Leila White and brother-in-law Frank White;
brothers-in-law Ron Burgin and Elwood (Woody) Ewing.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to
Northcrest Foundation or to the Ames Lions Club in support of a puppy for the
Lions Leader Dogs for the Blind program.

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