Leonard L. Dannen, 82, formerly of Rhodes, currently residing at the Southridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, died there Monday, July 9, 2012.

A funeral service and a celebration of life for Leonard will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 14, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home.  Burial will follow services at the Eden Cemetery in Rhodes. Visitation for Leonard will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today, July 13, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be directed in his name to either his family or Iowa Hospice. For further information or to send a condolence, visit www.mitchellfh.com or call (641) 844-1234. The Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Leonard and his family.

Leonard was born Sept. 2, 1929, in rural Marshall County, Iowa, to John and Frieda Dannen and was raised by Henry and Augusta Dannen. Leonard attended school in Newton and went on to graduate from Newton High School. Leonard worked on his family farm for several years before beginning his career as an auto and tractor mechanic. Leonard was married to Elizabeth (Betty) Bergfeld Thill on April 9, 1976.  He was employed with Hawkeye Chevrolet, Axtel Ford and retired from Cross & Sons in August of 2006. Leonard loved Allis Chalmers tractors, Mopar and NASCAR. Throughout his lifetime he participated in numerous tractor pulls and was an avid collector of antique tractors and had an extensive toy tractor collection. He enjoyed working and tinkering on cars and tractors and spending time with his family. Leonard was a past member of the Mid-Iowa Antique Tractor Pulling Association.