Leonard Tipping
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...[more]View Full Online Obituary and Tributes
de 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.
