Julie A. Leichty

Julie A. (Molander) Leichty, 85, of rural Kalona, passed from this life on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at the Pleasantview Home in Kalona. 

A celebration of life will be held Monday, November 16, 2026, at 10:00 AM, at the Sharon Center United Methodist Church north of Kalona. The service will be available via livestream on the Beatty-Peterseim Facebook and YouTube pages. Following the service, there will be a fellowship meal at the church, and then a private family burial at the Finley Cemetery near Crawfordsville. Visitation will be held Sunday, November 15, 2026, from 3 – 6 PM at the Sharon Center United Methodist Church. A memorial fund has been established for the Pleasantview Home, Sharon Center United Methodist Church, and the Grace Community Church. The Beatty Peterseim Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Julie Anne Leichty was born May 18, 1941, in Crawfordsville, Iowa, the daughter of Carl and Irene (Hart) Molander. She graduated from Olds High School and attended Kirkwood Community College. On October 4, 1959, she was united in marriage to Clarence Leichty at the Olds Congregational Church. First and foremost, she was a wife, mother, grandmother, and homemaker and later worked as a scheduling clerk at the University of Iowa for 17 years. Julie was a member of Sharon Center United Methodist Church, participating in its Positive Thinkers Bible Study. She later attended Grace Community Church in North Liberty, where she enjoyed small-group participation. Her interests included baking, cooking, gardening, and caring for her flowers. Family camping trips were a favorite, and she excelled at finding campgrounds and planning adventures. Julie and Clarence shared a love of square dancing and travel.

Survivors include her husband Clarence, five children: Steve (Angie) Leichty; Scott Leichty; Brian (Karla) Leichty; Sandy (Jeff) Plank; Lori (Tim) Coulter; 13 Grandchildren: McKenzie (Jay) Buline; Jake (Addie) Leichty; Olivia (Garrett) Harrison; Cory (Crystal Cramer) Leichty; Kristi (special friend Clint) Bryant; Briana (Corey) Clark; Makayla (Ben) Gedney; Jude (Heather) Plank; Chase (special friend Carmen Shragal) Plank; Avery Plank; Shae Plank; Breck (Brayden) Frazier; Malone (fiancé Kennedy) Coulter; and Great-Grandchildren: Kipton, Maely, Demi Buline; Everett, Ivy, Mavis Leichty; Emerson, Leighton, Brinley Harrison; Milo Leichty, Namiko Kann; Faith, Hunter Bryant; Nora, Finn Clark; Rylie Gedney; Jayleigh, Huxlee Plank

Preceding Julie in death were an Infant daughter, Kathy Leichty; grandson, Braden Bertelli; parents, sister Doris Miller, brother Allen “Bud” Molander, and in-laws Herman and Florence Leichty.