A Celebration of Life Service for Leslie Franklin Mowrer, 87, of Norwalk, who passed away on Monday, June 3, 2024, will be held 1:30 p.m. Friday, June 7, 2024 at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola with burial following in the Brethren Cemetery, Dallas Center, Iowa.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to services from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Les was born in the NW bedroom of the family home in rural Perry on July 24, 1936 to Claude and Amy Mowrer. His family moved to Perry when he was in Jr High.  He is a graduate of Perry High School.  He married the love of his life, Jeanie, June 14, 1959.  They were married for 63 years.  Les and Jeanie raised two children together.

Les served in the Army and was trained in the assembly of the Honest John Atomic Warhead.  Much of his service time was spent in Greece.

Les retired from Hostess in 1995.  He had worked there for 30 years as a route salesman.

Les loved classic cars and NASCAR racing.  He once worked as a mechanic for Vince Motors in Perry and went on to co-own a service station in Perry with his dad.  A car that he restored was showcased at the Iowa Motor Sports Show in Des Moines.  After starting a family, his love of cars was evident in the many Pine Derby cars he helped his kids and grandkids make.  In February 2024 he entered a car in the grad prix at church and won 2nd place in design.

Les had a passion for supporting missionaries.  He served on several mission boards and went on three mission trips. He traveled to the Ukraine in 1998 with SEND International to help build a Bible Seminary in Mukachevo.  In 2000 he traveled back to the Ukraine to help build a church in Kiev.  In 2002 he and Jeanie went with Craftsman for Christ to help build a large addition on the Peninsula Baptist Church in Washington.

Les and Jeanie were among the first residents at Holland Farms Senior Living in Norwalk.  He loved his "family" there and enjoyed many fun activities.  He enjoyed joking with the staff and could often be found sitting in the lobby serenading the staff as he sang along with some of his favorite songs.

Les is survived by daughter, Janene (Jason) Grimes; grandchildren, Christie (Jeremy) Sweet, Michael (Angie) Grimes, Jacob Mowrer, Michael (Jessica) Cooper and Alex Mohler: great-grandchildren, Madi, Parker, Lily, Jacoby and Bria Sweet, Lexi, Emily and Zoe Grimes, Ella, Amelia, Sofia, and Avery Marie Cooper. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanie; his son, Kevin Mowrer, sister, Doris Cireta Rickey; and parents, Claude and Amy Mowrer.

Memorials may be given in memory of Les to the family.