A celebration of his life will be held from 3-5:00 p.m. Saturday, October 31st, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home with a 5:00 p.m. time of sharing memories. Memorials may be directed to his family. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Ph. 641-844-1234.

Born on September 27th, 1957, in Marshalltown, he was the son of Landie and Mary Jo (Paxson) Carkhuff. He graduated from the Marshalltown High School in 1976 and later attended DMACC.

He worked at KIOWA, in the maintenance department at the Marshall County Care Facility for over 15 years and then the State of Iowa at the capitol complex and the Office of the State Medical Examiner in maintenance until retiring.

Lennie was passionate about life and the people who were around him. He played Santa Claus at Christmas, instilled core values to his kids and grandchildren, attended all of his families events, loved his dogs, helped others – even when they did him wrong and loved working on motorcycles. He enjoyed being a part of ABATE of Iowa and motorcycle trips – but he thought Sturgis was overrated and crowded!).

On April 20th, 1979, he was united in marriage to Dixie McMullen. With this union, five children and the couple formed a family.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife Dixie; five children: Shannon (P.J.) Pickett, of Melbourne, Christian (Jocelyn) McGee, of West Des Moines, Brandy (Robert) Gray, of Waterloo, Ashley (Clinton) Dare, of Melbourne and Shawn Carkhuff (Antony), of Marshalltown; 12 grandchildren: ShayeLyn, Xander, Madison, Jonah, Nevin, Cael, Keegan, Ethan, Isabella, Dylan, Katheryne and Jacob; three great grandchildren: Hudson, Adam and Ireland; as well as his brother Max (Cathy) Carkhuff, of Marshalltown, aunt Peggy Weuve, of Marshalltown, and numerous friends.

In death, Lennie rejoined his parents, his brother, Chris and his grandparents, Hazel and Max Paxson.