Nova Darlene Leighton, the daughter of Wilfred and Florice (Rodwell) Bates, was born January 12, 1924, on the family farm northwest of Griswold, IA. She died November 2, 2020, at the Griswold Care Center in Griswold, IA, at the age of 96 years, 9 months, and 21 days.
Nova graduated from Oakland High School and then taught country school in Wright Township for a year. On September 22, 1943, she was united in marriage to Lester Leighton in Council Bluffs, IA. They moved to the family farm where they lived and farmed. In 1973, Nova and Lester built their current house, and moved down the road to it. Nova lived at home until five years ago when she moved to the Griswold Care Center.
Nova was a member of the Griswold United Methodist Church and had belonged to the Wright Township Women’s Club. Nova loved to cook and had been featured in Iowa Farmer Today Newspaper with her recipes in 2003. She enjoyed working in the yard and with her flowers, dancing, taking care of her cats, and had played the piano.
Nova is preceded in death by her daughter Colleen in 1987; her parents; her brothers Lyle, Kenneth, and Dean; and her sisters Phyllis and Donna.
She is survived by her husband Lester of Griswold, IA; her children, Kristi Hockett and husband Jamie of Tennant, IA, and Bryce Leighton and wife Linda of Griswold, IA; her grandchildren: Jessica Woellhof and husband Derek, Angela Avis and husband Ryan, Dr. Joshua Hockett and wife Jodi, Gary Leighton and wife Stacie, Barbara Hays and husband Doug, and Brent Leighton and wife Cheryl; her great grandchildren: Kaidnce, Emerson, Ella, Finley, Axel, Averi, Landon, Kori, Garrett, Gavin, Kyler, Gage, Erin and husband Nye) Courtney, Brook, Leah, Anthony, and Joseph; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
An open visitation will be held at the Rieken Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold on Friday, November 6, 2020, from 9:00 AM until 7:00 PM. The family will not be present at any specific time. A private family funeral and interment will be held at a later date. Rieken Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold is in charge of arrangements.
