R. Leland Stroud

Robert Leland Stroud, one of six children of Robert Mercil and Floy Marie (Hixon) Stroud, was born May 16, 1921 at his parent's home in rural Glenwood, Iowa. Leland grew up in Malvern, Iowa and graduated from Malvern High School in 1938.

Leland and Alma F. Murphy of Council Bluffs, Iowa were united in marriage on February 23, 1941 in Maryville, Missouri. Their marriage was blessed with six children, Charles, Roger, Barbara, Katherine, Philip, and Steven.
The family lived in Malvern until 1949 when they moved to a farm near Glenwood. Leland loved farming and developed a prize-winning Angus herd. He enjoyed making improvements to the farming operation and established one of the first hog confinement operations in Mills County. He soon built his first sewage pumping equipment that later developed into the establishment of Stroud Pumping, a business that continues to operate today under the ownership of his son Roger. Leland later raised peacock birds for sale to collectors and breeders. Horses continued to be one of Leland's many enjoyments along with his love of western novels, antiques and old farm equipment. However, Leland's greatest love was his family and their activities.

In addition to his farming operation, Leland retired in early 1982 after more than 30 years of service as a switchman in the Council Bluffs yards for the Chicago - Northwestern Railroad.

Leland was a member of Silver Urn Masonic Lodge, Brotherhood of Railroad Workers, and a Lifetime Membership of the American Angus Association.

Leland and Marjorie Calabro of Council Bluffs were married on February 14, 1986.

Leland died on March 26, 2003 at the Glen Haven Home in Glenwood at the age of 81 years, 10 months, and 10 days. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Wilma Strand and Irma Hunt, and son-in-law Jim Cooper.

Leland is survived by his children, Charles Stroud and wife Amanda of Dodge City, Kansas, Roger Stroud and wife Carol of Glenwood, Barbara Kaiman and husband Harold of Glenwood, Katherine Cooper of Springfield, Nebraska, Philip Stroud of Omaha, Nebraska, and Steven Stroud of Thurman, Iowa; sisters Ila Christensen of Phoenix, Arizona, Betty June Aughenbaugh and husband Don of Dade City, Florida, and Fern Benesch and husband George of Schuyler, Nebraska; 20 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.