There are condolences waiting approval on Leslie 's Tribute wall
Celebrating the life of Leslie L. Nation
Be the first to share your favorite memory, photo or story of
Leslie .
This memorial page is dedicated for family, friends and future generations to celebrate
the life of their loved one.
We ask on behalf of the family that you keep your comments uplifting and appropriate
to help all who come here to find comfort and healing.
Obituary for Leslie L. Nation
Leslie L. Nation, 73, of Dexter, Iowa passed away to his eternal glory on March 6, 2020 at the VA Medical Center in Des Moines. Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Friday, March 13, 2020 at the Johnson Family Funeral Home – Dexter Chapel. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, March 14 at the Calvary Assembly of God Church in Dexter. Full military honors will be rendered following the service at the church. Private burial will take place in the Dexter Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Calvary Assembly of God Church and/or Dexter Round House – Non-Profit and/or Dexter Library and may be sent in care of Johnson Family Funeral Home.
Les was born in a family of one sister and five brothers. His mother died at a very young age, and his father couldn’t care for them, so the children were split up by the state and put into foster homes. Les was separated from his siblings and was in good and bad foster homes as a child. He and his brother Larry were then put in a foster home of Millie (Smith) and Fred Nation, to a wonderful Christian family. They were then adopted by the Nations and gained a brother Glenn and a sister Hattie. They lived in the Cummings area and the south side of Des Moines where they farmed. Les attended Lincoln High School. Les served two tours in Vietnam one in the Marine Corps and one in the Army. He earned the Navy Cross, Silver star, Bronze star and Purple heart for his acts of gallantry while in combat. Les remained in the National Guard and the Army Reserves and retired after 28 years of service. He reached the rank of Master Sargant. He married Joanne Whitlow and had two sons, Greg and Kevin. Then in 1989, Les married the love of his life Barbara Piatt, who had three daughters from a previous marriage. They lived in Des Moines and then moved to Dexter in 1991. Les worked several jobs after retiring from the service. Primarily he worked at Firestone latter being employed by the main post office in Des Moines before retiring. He often worked part time in security, the Iowa State Fair patrol and the Polk County Law Enforcement.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Millie Nation, infant son, Jack, sister and brother-in-law Hattie and Bill Hildreth, biological sister, Irma Loghry and brothers, Francis Reynolds, Merlin Norton and Merrill Darrington.
He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his beloved wife, Barbara Nation of Dexter; sons, Kevin and Greg Nation of the Des Moines area; daughter, Sarah (Carlos) Garcia, Laura Campbell, Emily Blake (Michael McFarland) all of Dexter; grandchildren, Angela Nation of Wisconsin, Jon, Promise and Theo Garcia, Andrew Logan, and Noelle Campbell of Dexter, and bonus daughter Amanda Little of Dexter; brothers, Larry (Mildred) Nation of Melbourne, Florida, Glenn (Joyce) Nation of Des Moines; Gary Fisher of Carlisle, Iowa; Step Mother, Carol Piatt of Dexter; Brother-in- law Keith (Becky) Piatt of Winterset; Sister-in-law Jan (Kevin) Powell of Stuart; Many Nephews and Nieces, special thanks to James "Danny" Loghry .
Les enjoyed restoring old tractors with his brother-in-law Keith and his restored 1941 Chevy pickup. He enjoyed fishing and spending time with his beloved family and friends.
He was a member of the Marine Corps League in Des Moines, the Dexter American Legion, Dexter Assembly of God Church where he was previously on the board and also lead bible study. He enjoyed his time at church with his church family and looked forward to eternal life with his savior Jesus Christ.
