The Leon-Negrete Family
The Leon family has deep roots in Valley Junction, tracing back over a century to León, Guanajuato, Mexico. Nicanor “Nick” Leon, born in 1897, and Feliciana Perez, born in 1899, knew each other in their hometown before Feliciana’s family immigrated to Iowa. Determined to join her, Nick arrived in Iowa City with his brother, Ausencio (1895 – 1932), who became a professional interpreter for many local Mexican families and is buried in Jordan Cemetery, a reminder of their early years.
Nick and Feliciana were married at Visitation Catholic Church in October 1919 and initially lived in Iowa City before settling in Valley Junction. Their first home, located at what would later be renamed 429 Washington Street, was where all seven of their children – Canuto, Lupe, Catalina (“Katie”), Antonio (“Tony”), Trinidad, Barney, and Timothea (“Timmy”)– were born. Nick built this uniquely progressive home with indoor plumbing, a rarity at the time, while the neighborhood generally relied on outhouses and well water. Their household was vibrant, filled with the sounds of Spanish and the aromas of home-cooked meals.
Raising a Family in Valley Junction
Nick worked as a painter for the Rock Island Railroad and later contributed to local businesses, while Feliciana was a nurturing mother and midwife. The family eventually moved to 132 3rd Street, where Nick and Feliciana spent the rest of their lives.
The Leon children became active members of the Valley Junction community. Canuto and Barney worked for Midwest Concrete, participating in projects such as the construction of Mercy Hospital in Des Moines and creating concrete planters still standing today. Trinidad served as a beloved mailman, while Kaite and Lupe worked in food service at local schools. The family legacy continued as Lupe’s son, Richard Murillo, Blue Sky Diner and Nacho Mamma’s restaurants. Tony manage insurance office, and Timmy worked as a teacher and principal. Other Leon grandchildren followed in their footsteps, often graduating from Valley High School or Dowling Catholic.
Raising a Family in Valley Junction
Katie married Frank Negrete, a WWII Marine Corps Veteran, in 1947. They raised three daughters– Annette (“Annie”), Kathy, and Antonia (“Toni”)– in Valley Junction’s vibrant Mexican American community, surrounded by family and friends. The neighborhood was alive with activity, from playing at their cousins’ homes to walking to the original Sacred Heart Church, where family events took place. The children eagerly awaited trains at the tracks, hoping to catch conductors tossing them coins, fueling their imaginations of distant lands.
Summers were filled with softball games at Legion Park, where Frank pitched for the Mexican Eagles for four decades, earning a spot in the Des Moines Softball Hall of Fame, while Katie sold tacos at the concession stand. Life in Valley Junction was simple yet rich, with familiar small business owners and cherished memories of Green River sodas, train sounds, and strong community ties.
Rooted in Values
Annie graduated from Valley High School in 1967 and became a nurse at Mercy Hospital for 45 years. Kathy attended beauty school, then worked for the Iowa Lottery while raising two children. Toni became a court reporter and later an employee at Meredeith Corporation, caring for her grandparents in their final years.
From their beginnings across the tracks to decades of service, worship, and community, the Leon and Negrete family’s legacy remains integral to Valley Junction.
