Ryan Wade Leemkuil

Ryan was born on August 18, 1983, in Hampton, Iowa, to Tom and Jane (Barnes) Leemkuil. He grew up in Mason City, Iowa, with his older brother, Tim, and was surrounded by family and a close-knit group of friends. As a true child of the ’80s, Ryan enjoyed big wheels, wrestling, and playing with army men. He may have been the only person who ever looked truly adorable with a mullet.

Ryan met Abby Luhrs, at the Fareway in Ames, Iowa, where they both worked during college. They dated for several years—much of it long-distance—before marrying in September 2011 in a beautiful barn in the Amana Colonies. Abby and Ryan first settled in Des Moines, later buying their first home in Urbandale in 2013. It was here that Ryan became a “grass man,” spending hours each week tending the lawn so that his family could enjoy the yard. Ryan also prioritized caring for his home and never missed a chance to extol the virtues of his Miele vacuum. Abby and Ryan spent many hours in the kitchen together, listening to music and enjoying a cocktail, while trying a new recipe or preparing meals for the week.

Ryan studied political science at Iowa State University and later graduated at the top of his class from the University of Iowa College of Law. Highlights of his career included serving as a law clerk for Chief Judge Linda R. Reade (U.S. District Court, Northern District of Iowa) and Judge Steven M. Colloton (U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit) and working as a federal prosecutor at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa. Ryan also had a full circle moment when he worked as in-house counsel at Fareway Grocery Stores. As a clerk and lawyer, Ryan was known for his exceptional writing, whip-smart opinions, and affable demeanor. In his work and in his life, Ryan had the ability to make meaningful connections with people from all walks of life.

Ryan and Abby had two children together: Thomas, born in 2015, and Annie, born in 2018. Ryan loved being a father. He was quick to find any opportunity to make his children laugh, even when that meant being just a little inappropriate. Ryan especially loved doing things with his kids: taking trips to the trampoline park, setting off bottlerockets, running to Taste of Italy for hoagies and chips, watching a college wrestling match, and walking their dog, Reggie, through the park. Ryan also enjoyed quiet moments with Annie and Thomas: watching movies, reading books before bed, playing video games, and listening to music in the car. Ryan loved learning new things and encouraged his children to be curious about the world around them.

Ryan was wildly smart, had an incredible memory, and had many varied interests. He could hold forth on Iowa State basketball stats just as easily as he could about judicial restraint. He enjoyed books; movies and TV shows; music of all decades and genres; and food, especially sharing food with the people he loved. Ryan found great joy in splitting a tin of sardines with Annie or eating burgers with Thomas. Ryan was a wonderful uncle and brother-in-law. He spent many holidays on the floor with his nieces and nephews and gathered around the table playing board games with the Luhrs family. Many people were lucky to call Ryan a friend. The friendships he made throughout his life were lasting and genuine, a reflection of the kind of person he was and the lasting impact he had on the lives of so many.

Ryan is survived by his wife, Abby Luhrs; his children, Thomas and Annie Leemkuil; his mom, Jane Clay; his brother, Tim Leemkuil; his in-laws, Lee and Helen Luhrs; his brothers- and sisters-in-law (Sarah and Paul Kaler, Meagan Luhrs and Ryan Thompson, Bethany Luhrs Hodgell and Peter Hodgell, and Rachel Steers); and his nieces and nephews (Leah Kaler, Jonah Kaler, Deke Luhrs Thompson, Suvi-Anne Luhrs Thompson, Maeve Hodgell, Tilly Hodgell, Ramona Hodgell, Ella Leemkuil, and Vera Leemkuil). He was preceded in death by his dad, Thomas Leemkuil.

Ryan was loved by so many family members, friends, and colleagues—for his intelligence, his witty sense of humor, his inquisitive personality, and the care he showed to those in his orbit. Unfortunately, over the past couple of years, Ryan’s struggles with mental health prevented him from seeing just how bright his light shone.

A visitation will be held on Friday, August 21 from 1:00-3:00 pm at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in West Des Moines, Iowa. A memorial service at the same location will begin at 3:30 pm. Following the service, all are welcome to join the family for a Happy Hour to celebrate Ryan’s life at the Giovanetti Community Shelter at Walker Johnston Park in Urbandale, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to support Abby, Thomas, and Annie with immediate expenses: https://www.supportnow.org/abby-thomas-and-annie