Joseph Leonard Boswell

Joseph Leonard Boswell passed away on March 28, 2026. He left this world with his great laugh and the love of his family surrounding him.

Born on March 12, 1963, Joe was known for his humor, his intelligence, and his ability to make people feel at ease. He enjoyed the simple things in life and had a goofy spirit, a contagious laugh, and a way of connecting with people that made others feel comfortable being themselves.

He loved music and was a percussionist at heart, playing drums and beatboxing with his son, nephew, and eventually his grandsons. He enjoyed classic rock, his Harley, football—especially the Kansas City Chiefs—and spending time doing the things he liked with the people he cared about.

Motorcycle trips were a highlight in Joe’s life. He loved riding, the freedom of the open road, and the time spent with his fellow riders. Giving rides to his grandkids or riding alongside his son, brother-in-law, nephew, and Janelle was especially meaningful to him—those miles together were some of his happiest.

Joe also valued time with his family. He returned to the Boswell family farm each year, continuing traditions that brought generations together. Those gatherings, filled with music, stories, laughter, and connection, were an important part of his life.

Joe was born in Germany, lived in Portugal, and spent his later youth on the family farm in southern Iowa, graduating from Lamoni High School in 1981. He continued his education at Graceland University and later received his bachelor’s degree in human resources from the College of Saint Mary in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1995.

Joe served in the United States Army as a Communication Specialist from 1983 to 1987. After his service, his life took him through many chapters—farming during a difficult time for Iowa farmers, working as a Family Teacher at Boys Town in Omaha from 1990 to 1995, being a daycare inspector across Iowa, traveling as a software specialist, installing network systems in New York, and eventually returning to the Kansas City area.

In 2006, Joe found a lasting home at OOIDA, where he spent over 19 years and built meaningful friendships along the way. He was a CMCI Representative in the drug consortium department and truly loved his work and the difference he made. His lunch crew, his coworkers, his buddy Will, the daily conversations, and all the laughter they shared were some of the highlights of his days. He attended truck shows, taught at OOIDA’s “Truck to Success” seminars, and took pride in helping members. He was also selected as an employee representative in the “I Am OOIDA” campaign, reflecting how much he valued the people and the work.

Joe is survived by his best friend and forever love, Janelle Dane, who brought him happiness and shared his love of motorcycling. He loved her deeply and often spoke about how much she meant to him, affectionately calling her his “honey bunny.”

Surviving family members include Joe’s daughter, Brookie-Lee, her husband Kevin Glaser, and their sons Zavien and Jaxon and daughters Tylea and Vaylee; and Joe’s son Joshua, his wife Danyelle, and their daughter Brielle and son Jacob; whom he shared with their mother, Kim. His grandsons and granddaughters—his “six-pack”—he considered his greatest accomplishment and contribution to the world. He was their supporter and cheerleader, showing up for games, school events, performances, birthdays, and everyday moments. He was proud of each of them and made sure they knew it.

Joe was preceded in death by his father, Leonard Boswell, a decorated war veteran who served as a U.S. Congressman for the State of Iowa, and his mother, Darlene (Dody) Boswell, a lifelong teacher.

He is further survived by his sisters Terri Bruun, Diana Redford, and Cindy Brown; Cindy’s husband Greg Brown and Joe’s nephews Matthew and Mitchel; along with extended family including his aunts LaRita Boswell, Patty Bruch, and Paulette Resch; and his three cousins Tava Smiley, Jimmy Walling, and Sam Walling, who all often gathered with him over the years for traditions that meant a lot to him.

Joe will be remembered for his laughter, his presence, and the way he made people feel welcome, supported, and valued.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Joseph Boswell may be made to the Dream Foundation, which provides meaningful experiences to adults facing life-limiting illness. Joe loved sharing the story of attending a Kansas City Chiefs game with his son this past fall— standing on the field and enjoying a great day together—and he spoke of wanting to “pay it forward.”

Dream Foundation monetary donation link: https://pro.gofundme.com/give/170605/#!/donation/checkout.

A celebration of life will be held at the Boswell Family Farm in Lamoni, Iowa, on May 30th at 2:00 p.m. Please bring your best stories of Joe.