Leon “Chicken” Baumhover, 88, of Carroll and formerly of Roselle, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at Regency Park in Carroll.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 9, 2025, at Holy Spirit Church – St. John Paul II Parish in Carroll. Father Timothy Schott will be the Celebrant. Music is by Kathy Halbur and Sherry Loughran. The Lectors are Scott Mankin and Dan Guido. Gift Bearers are Isa Pengsagun and Claire Riesselman. Casket Bearers will be Collin Baumhover, Tyler Baumhover, Justin Reiss, Carl Brincks, Glen Riesselman and Dale Behrens. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery.
Visitation is from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll with a Prayer Service at 5:00 p.m. by Father Timothy Schott. Additional visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. on Monday at the church.
Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for Leon’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
A life well lived, full of laughter and love. Leon was born February 7, 1937, in Carroll, Iowa, to Albert and Dora Baumhover. One of 16 children, he was raised on a farm near Mount Carmel. He graduated from Mt. Carmel High School and had his first job at Al’s Corner.
In October 1957, Leon married the love of his life Janice (Knobbe) Baumhover. Together, they raised six children and built a life on their farm where they raised cattle, farrowed hogs, and grew corn and soybeans.
Leon was always up for good fun – whether that be a road trip, winning at euchre, or finding a good deal at the dollar store. He will be deeply missed — and fondly remembered — every time we play a game of cards, play a record, or spot a white ceramic chicken.
Leon is preceded in death by his beloved wife Janice; his parents Albert and Dora (Fehring) Baumhover; his daughter Diane; his son Daniel; his three brothers: Loras, Ray and Merle; his four sisters: Anne (in infancy) and Mary Baumhover, Jane Morrison, and Donna Stitz; his sisters-in-law: Diane, Janet, and Linda; and his nephew Marcus Baumhover.
He is survived by his children and their spouses: Jill Reiss of Omaha; Jay (Jan) Baumhover of Mt. Carmel; Sue (Dan) Guido of Phoenix, AZ; Karla (Rob Barty) Baumhover of Thailand; Julie (Scott) Mankin of West Linn, OR; and Jessica Riesselman (Richard Moody, fiancé) of Sioux Falls, SD; along with eight grandchildren: Collin, Tyler, Isa, Justin, Chloe, Morgan, Calvin, and Claire; his siblings and their spouses: Marita Moir, Leonard Baumhover, Norbert Baumhover, Gene (Janet) Baumhover, Vern (Jean) Baumhover, Harry (LaVonne) Baumhover, Mark (Vivian) Baumhover, Dean Baumhover; and in laws: Anne Baumhover, and Marcia (Bill Noth) Baumhover, Jim Morrison, and Mike Stitz.
