Leon Lee Osborn

Leon Lee Osborn, 74, of Grinnell, Iowa, passed away peacefully at home on March 10, 2026, surrounded by his family and beloved cats.

Born on May 30, 1951, in Grinnell to Arthur and Evelyn (Claybrook) Osborn, Leon was raised on the family farm near Rock Creek State Park. He graduated from Grinnell High School in 1969. He spent many years working as an installer for telecommunication companies, living in the Dallas area for two decades while traveling across the Midwest. He later owned and operated the Arrowhead Motel in Buffalo, Wyoming, for more than six years.

Leon married Cristy Peak on September 1, 2015. His deep love for animals began on the family farm caring for livestock and continued through years of raising Chow Chows and cats. From childhood explorations of the farm and nearby state park to later travels through the mountain ranges of Oregon, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Colorado, Leon found his greatest peace in nature—whether hunting, fishing, riding his Harley, or simply taking in the landscape. Above all, his greatest joy and accomplishment was raising his grandson Kaiden.

Leon is survived by his wife, Cristy Osborn; his grandson, Kaiden Peak; his sister, Ranae Hamor; nephews Travis (Guinn) Osborn and Cody Osborn; nieces Shoneen (Steve) Davis, Crystal Poole, and Lacey Poole; sister-in-law Renee (Scull) Brooks; stepson Ryan Peak; and step-grandsons Aydin Levingston and Austyn Peak. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Evelyn, and his brother Gar Osborn.