Leland Eugene Perkins

Leland Eugene Perkins was born December 15th, 1943, to Shirley (Elmore) and Marvin Perkins in Corydon, Iowa. He passed away July 22nd, 2024, in San Juan Tx at the age of 80.

He attended Cambria elementary and Junior High and completed his high school education at Cambria/Corydon high school in 1962.

In his early years of life, he grew up on a family farm outside of Cambria, Ia. It was here that he learned the value of hard work and helped his family with the chores of living and working on a farm. He often spoke of milking cows, raising pigs and sheep, bailing hay, training and riding horses and of course fixing the tractors and equipment on the farm. 

He married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Elizabeth Lou West, in 1963. They celebrated 61 years of marriage in February 2024. To this union were born four sons: Thomas, (Tom) Kevin, Matthew (Matt) and Benjamin (Benjy).

He was baptized Methodist in Cambria Iowa and was of Methodist and Lutheran faith. He was a Third-Degree Master mason and member of Gnemeth Masonic Lodge and Order of Eastern Star.

He graduated from Western Iowa Technical College in Sioux City, Iowa with an associate’s degree in Diesel Mechanics. His work as a diesel mechanic moved the family around often in the early years from Humbolt Nebraska, Onawa and Red Oak Iowa. He helped the family settle and made much of their life in Stanton, Iowa. He eventually left the International Harvester dealership of Mace and Hahn in Red Oak to work at Kaser Corporation (Rock Quarry) and then on to Montgomery County Secondary Road Dept as a shop foreman. He and Liz eventually moved to Waukee IA, and he took a position as the street superintendent for the City of Waukee. He was also well known around the Stanton and Red Oak areas for his ability to work on local farmers’ tractors during planting or harvest at the hour when most people would be sleeping. (Pre-cell phone era)

His adult hobbies ranged from wood working, quilting, embroidery, and helping Liz at the various craft shows. He enjoyed camping and volunteering at the Iowa State Fair. He enjoyed the fair most of all because he knew it was a time he could spend with all his grandkids.

Leland was preceded in death by his parents Shirley and Marvin, in-laws Hilma and Sheldon West, son Thomas (Tom) Perkins and grandson Jeremy. Also preceding him in death were Rex Perkins (brother) and sister-in-law Charlotte Perkins.

He is survived by his wife Liz, sons: Kevin (Lori), Matt (Amy) and Benjy, and daughters-in-law: Sande Perkins (Tom) and Brenda Perkins. Grandchildren: Kelli, Karrie (Tom) Scot (Sara) Autumn, Bailey(Colt), Cameron, Dallis, Mason, Ashli, Prestyn, Blake and great grandchildren: JoAnna, Oakley, Carver and Scot.  Siblings: Joanne (Wendell) Terrell, Sister-in-law Sharon Perkins (Rex), Lyle Perkins (special friend Janet Nielsen), Keith Perkins (Lynn), Becky (Jason) Andrews and several nieces and nephews that he adored. 

A celebration of life service will be held Friday, September 13, 2024 at 11:00 a.m., with visitation one hour prior, both at Ernst Funeral Home, Waukee. Leland's service will be live-streamed and can be viewed starting at service time on Friday, September 13th or anytime thereafter via: www.facebook.com/ernstfuneralcremation. A committal graveside service will be held Saturday, September 14, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Cambria Cemetery, Cambria, IA.