James Donald McKenna

James "Woody" D. McKenna, 66, of Bernard, Iowa, passed away on September 15, 2025, at home surrounded by his loved ones.

Friends and family may visit from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, September 22, 2025, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Otter Creek, with Rev. David Ambrosy officiating. An additional visitation will be held at church before Mass starting at 9:00 a.m. Burial will be at St. Lawrence Catholic Church Cemetery at a later date.

Woody was born on April 23, 1959, in Dubuque, Iowa, the son of Donald and Rosemary (Olinger) McKenna. There is nothing Woody loved more than his family. He was incredibly proud of his daughter and son-in-law for the family they built together. He enjoyed watching his grandson pitch and play baseball and always made sure his freezer was full of ice cream for his granddaughters. Woody loved "lake life." He enjoyed drinking cold Budweisers in his bar with all of his friends. When you thought of Leisure Lake you thought of Woody's bar, it became a milestone. He enjoyed cruising around the lake on his golf cart, and back in the day, his Harley. Woody farmed all of his life, so when harvest season came around the golf cart and Budweiser got pushed aside for an International tractor and grain cart. Farming was his true passion. Woody was a hard worker and took pride in what he did. He will be missed by many but the memories will live on. 

Woody is survived by his daughter, Heather (Matt) Casey; three grandchildren, Taylor, Tanner, and Peyton Casey; and siblings, Dick McKenna of Zwingle, John (Kim) McKenna of Marion, and Kathleen (Kenny) Aureden of Zwingle.

He was preceded in death by his parents Donald and Rosemary; sister-in-law Marsha McKenna; and his former wife Tracy.

The family would like to thank hospice of Dubuque and friends that helped with care and support the past few months. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.