James "Jimmy" H. Leen

James "Jimmy" Leen passed away February 15, 2017, in Milford, IA.

Memorial services will be Saturday, August 19, at 11:00 a.m. at Walla Lutheran Church in rural New Effington with Rev. Suzanne Benidt officiating. Music will be provided by Greta Leen.

Visitation will begin Saturday at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be in the Walla Lutheran Cemetery.

James (Jimmy) Howard Leen was born October 16, 1934, in rural New Effington, South Dakota to Ellsworth and Florence (Hull) Leen. Jimmy graduated from New Effington High School in 1954. In 1955 the family moved from the farm into New Effington where Jimmy lived the majority of his adult life. In 2007, he moved to Countryside Assisted Living in Rosholt, South Dakota, where he lived for several years before moving to the Northeast Care Center, also in Rosholt. In November of 2016, Jimmy moved south to Milford, Iowa, to the Hawkeye Care Center in order to be closer to his sister Barbara and her husband Rob. He died there on February 15, 2017, after a bout with influenza and pneumonia, at the age of 82.

Jimmy was a sweetheart! He had a smile and a joke for everyone he met. He also took good care of his mother Florence until her death in 2009. While living in New Effington, he operated Jim's Place, a gathering spot where guys met in the afternoon to shoot pool or play cards. He could be found at Mikey's for coffee with his friends both morning and afternoon. A life-long Twins and Vikings fan, Jimmy loved cheering them on while working one of his many jig saw puzzles.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents, Ellsworth and Florence; and his brothers, Robert and Richard. He is survived by his sister Barbara (Rob) Porter of Milford, IA; his nieces, Marsha (Greg) Mitchell and Jane Leen, both of Salt Lake City, and Marnie (Nick) Bounds of Minneapolis; and his nephews Richard (Kally) Leen of Salt Lake City and Dustin (Jennifer) Leen of Minneapolis plus several great-nieces and a great-nephew and many wonderful cousins.