Obituary of Jerry Heetland

Gerald (Jerry) Glade Heetland, the son of Raymond and Florence (Glade) Heetland, was born on July 28, 1943. He was Baptized and Confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in May City, IA. He spent his youth growing up on the family farm three miles east and eight miles north of Hartley. Jerry went to country school through the eighth grade, just a quarter of a mile north of the family farm. He went on to attend Hartley High School where he participated and excelled at football and track. Jerry graduated from Hartley High School in 1961. After high school he attended Northwestern College in Orange City on a football scholarship for a short time. Deciding college was not for him, he returned home to farm with his father and brother Harlan. On March 24, 1962, he was united in marriage to Barb Heuer of Hartley at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Jerry and Barb made their home on the home place in a tenant house next to his parents. After a year Jerry’s folks moved to Sheldon and Jerry and Barb took over the farming operation and moved into the large house on the home place where they raised their family. The highlights of Jerry’s life were his passion for farming with John Deere equipment, fishing, riding his Harley, watching NASCAR races, RAGBRAI, boating, traveling, woodworking and most of all spending time with grandchildren. He also enjoyed Barb’s passion for quilting as it brought more friends into their lives. Jerry was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma (Bone Cancer) in early January of 2009. While fighting this disease for 66 days he was called to his eternal home on March 19, 2009 at the age of 65. He will be remembered for his hard work ethic, honesty, and sense of humor. Left to cherish his memory are his wife Barb of West Okoboji, IA; children: Cindy Hennings, of Hartley, IA, Jay (Sadie) Heetland of Lincoln, MO, Scott (Tammy) Heetland of rural Hartley; grandchildren: Kyle and Stacie Hennings, Shalynn, and Morgan Heetland, Jessica, Ashley and Tom Heetland; brothers: Harlan (Bonnie) Heetland of Cotopaxi, CO, and Ray Heetland of Sioux Falls, SD; sisters: Colleen Ferns of St. Cloud, MN and Patricia Rose of St. Cloud, MN; mother-in-law: Freda Heuer formerly of Hartley; sisters-in-law: Irene (Otto) Polson of rural Hartley, Judy (Dave) Humphries of Bixby, OK, and Bev (Dean) Skinner of Spencer, IA; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; father-in law Everett Heuer; niece: Kelly (Heetland) Schriner; nephew: Tim Skinner. In Remembrance of Jerry G. Heetland Born ~ July 28, 1943 Died ~ March 19, 2009 Age ~ 65 years 7 months 21 days Funeral Service 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 24, 2009 Immanuel Lutheran Church Spirit Lake, Iowa Clergy ~ Rev. Phill Andreason Organist ~ Mary Lou Ayres Soloist ~ Chris Haht Singing ~ “How Great Thou Art” Congregational Singing Processional ~ “Amazing Grace” #744 “The Old Rugged Cross” Recessional ~ “What A Friend We Have In Jesus” #770 Pallbearers Gene Fenske Glen Recher Maurice Heilman Matt McHugh Greg Mohr Gary Gould Honorary Pallbearers Dave Lorch Bernie Cohrs Ray Ahlers Norm Williamson Kenny Garrelts Les Mueller Robin Koplin Bruce Lorch Lanny Dillingham Ushers David Bockman Herb Bockman Curt Harms Flower Attendants Diana Heilman Donna Gould Jane Lorch