Michael L. "Mike" Leeper, 78, of Indianola, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 13, 2026. After becoming unexpectedly ill over the Fourth of July weekend, he briefly showed signs of improvement before suffering a stroke on Friday.

Mike spent 78 years doing what came most naturally to him: serving others. Whether as a farm boy, soldier, police officer, historian, handyman, mentor, husband, father, or honorary grandpa to countless children and neighbors, Mike never stopped showing up for the people he loved and the community he called home.

Born in September 1947, Mike grew up with a farm boy's work ethic and sense of humor. He liked to joke that when he arrived at basic training, he finally got to sleep in. While many things changed throughout his life, his humble beginnings never left him. He remained hardworking, practical, fiercely loyal, and always willing to lend a hand. If Mike couldn't fix it himself, he knew someone who could. If he didn't know someone, he knew someone who knew someone.

Mike proudly served his country in the United States Army from November 21, 1966, to November 20, 1968, during the Vietnam War. He attained the rank of Specialist Fifth Class, served as a rifle sharpshooter and driver with the 572nd Transportation Company (Medium Truck), and found his niche in military service. The camaraderie and sense of purpose he discovered there remained important to him throughout his life. He deeply valued the brothers and sisters in arms with whom he served and carried that respect into every chapter that followed.

A love story worthy of Mike's storytelling began at the Iowa State Fair. Although Mike and Marjorie had attended the same high school and knew of one another, it wasn't until August 1969, while Mike was giving helicopter rides at the fair, that their story truly began. He called her that November, they were engaged in December, he began the Des Moines Police Academy in January, graduated in May, and married Marjorie that same month. For the next 56 years, they built a marriage that was authentic, honest, and full of laughter. Neither ever had to wonder what the other was thinking, for better or worse! Together, they created the kind of home that made everyone else wish Mike and Marjorie were their parents.

Mike loved being a police officer. Following his military service, he devoted 33 years to the Des Moines Police Department, serving in numerous capacities, including undercover vice officer, senior patrol officer, polygraph examiner, sergeant, dispatch supervisor, youth services coordinator, logistics supervisor, and assignments within the Detective Bureau and Missing Persons Unit, as well as serving as Chief of Staff to former Des Moines Chief of Police Bill McCarthy. His first day with the department was one for the history books, as the police station was bombed. Throughout his distinguished career, Mike earned the respect and admiration of colleagues and citizens alike, not only for what he accomplished, but for the integrity, fairness, and compassion he brought to the badge.

He later earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Simpson College in 1976 after attending Des Moines Area Community College, reflecting his lifelong belief in education, mentorship, and public service.

Mike loved a new audience and never met a stranger for long. He could tell a story that made you laugh until your sides hurt, fix whatever was broken in your house, and somehow convince you that you were the one doing him a favor. He believed children should be protected, history should be preserved, and that helping others was simply what you did. Retirement wasn't something Mike understood very well because service wasn't a job to him. It was who he was.

Those who knew Mike knew he came equipped with an ornery sense of humor, an unwavering sense of justice, and a willingness to help that could not be contained by retirement. He was protective of the people he loved, especially children, and found great joy in creating memories for them. He built Halloween candy chutes, played the Easter Bunny, and delighted in teasing kids with his playful sense of humor. Children naturally gravitated toward him, and adults quickly learned they could count on him.

Mike's talents extended well beyond his professional accomplishments. He rebuilt homes for family members, fixed roofs, tackled plumbing and electrical projects (sometimes despite everyone's better judgment), and happily spent countless hours helping others. It took falling through a ceiling before he finally began slowing down, though even then, he never stopped offering advice or lending a hand.

Family was at the center of Mike's life. He treasured summers boating with his family and friends and looked forward to annual vacations to Florida. He was a devoted husband and father who made time for those he loved, and while Stephanie is his only daughter, she grew up surrounded by countless adopted siblings. Neighbors became family. Friends became family. Children became grandchildren in every way that mattered. Mike and Marjorie had a gift for making people feel like they belonged.

Mike was also a passionate historian and protector of the legacy of the Des Moines Police Department. Long before the Des Moines Police Museum and Hall of History officially existed, artifacts destined for the trash found their way into the Leeper home because Mike knew they mattered. He founded and curated the museum, organized and helped author the historical book *Behind the Badge*, and dedicated countless volunteer hours to ensuring the stories and sacrifices of Des Moines police officers would never be forgotten. When families called from across the country hoping to learn about an ancestor who had served on the force, Mike gladly opened the museum and gave private tours. Younger officers hung on every word as he shared stories from the department's rich history, reminding them that time moves quickly and that the people who came before us deserve to be remembered.

Mike is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Marjorie Leeper; his daughter, Stephanie (Mark) Pawletzki; his uncle, Jim (Kathy) Cerfogli; his brother-in-law, John (Renee) King; his sister-in-law, Cindy (Scott) Lonsdale; and many cherished nieces, nephews, extended family members, friends, neighbors, and former colleagues whose lives are better because they knew him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Laird and Loretta Leeper.

Military honors and the interment of Mike’s cremated remains will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery, 34024 Veterans Memorial Drive, Adel, Iowa 50003.

A Celebration of Life Gathering will follow from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at the Des Moines Police Museum, located on the second floor of the Des Moines Police Department, 25 East First Street, Des Moines, Iowa, where family, friends, and colleagues are invited to honor Mike’s remarkable life and legacy.

Memorial contributions may be made in support of the future Michael L. “Mike” Leeper Legacy Scholarship, which is being established to honor Mike’s lifelong commitment to service, mentorship, and community. The scholarship will support students pursuing careers in public service, criminal justice, history, or community leadership. Online contributions may be made at https://givebutter.com/mikeleeperlegacy.

Mike spent his life protecting people, preserving history, and helping others. There would never have been enough time to spend with him, and there never would have been enough stories to hear. His family finds comfort knowing that his legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched and in every person who chooses to serve others with the same generosity, humor, and unwavering sense of justice that defined his life.