Leland Ray Alcock

WAVERLY - Leland Ray Alcock, 87, of the Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community in Waverly, died Thursday evening (April 16, 2009) at the Waverly Health Center of natural causes.
Leland was born April 8, 1922, to Leigh and Effie (Gillette) Alcock on the family farm one mile south and one mile west of Frederika, Iowa. Leland lived on the family farm for over 50 years.
He was baptized and confirmed at the Frederika United Methodist Church, where he and his wife were members for 50 years.
He attended Douglas No. 5 school and later graduated from Frederika High School as valedictorian. After high school, he worked at Rath Packing Co. until he was called back home to help on the farm when his father contracted rheumatic fever and arthritis.
Leland married Thelma Fern Hemingson at the Frederika United Methodist Church on April 25, 1943. They farmed the family farm until 1966. After retiring from farming, he was plant manager for the C. and H. Farm Service in Tripoli for 21 years.
Leland was a volunteer throughout his life. He was a 4-H leader for the Douglas Rockets, coached boys and girls softball teams, and served on the Bremer County Extension Council and the Tripoli Community School Board, of which he was president for four years.
He was a past member of the Farm Bureau Board and the Frederika Creamery Board where he was secretary for five years. He also served as Sunday school superintendent at his church.
Leland was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching the Cubs. He loved watching and playing sports as well as watching his children and grandchildren participate in sports.
Leland was the last Alcock living in the Frederika area. The name was prominent in the past with a cemetery and a park named after the family.
Leland was a man of high integrity and was respected and loved by his family and friends. His family will miss the unwavering support he gave to them all. He was always willing to lend a helping hand and he and his wife worked hard to give their children a good life. Leland wanted their lives to be rewarding and for them to be good citizens.
Leland is survived by his wife, Thelma, of Waverly; three children, Bonnie (Ray) Joecken, of Waverly, Al (Cathy) Alcock, of Mason City, and Rick (Sue) Alcock, of Granger; a daughter-in-law, Sherry Alcock, of Decorah; eight grandchildren, Chip Joecken, Tom Joecken, Amanda Freese, Betsy Bushlack, Aaron Alcock, Matt Alcock, Emily Alcock and Rebecca Alcock; and five great-grandchildren, Mackenzie, TJ, Brooke, Syler and Eliah.
He is also survived by one sister, Gloria (Edwin) Weber, of Albuquerque, N.M.; one brother-in-law, Bill Burrow. of Waverly; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, David Joe Alcock; one great-grandson, Max David Bushlack; and one sister, Gertrude Hazel Burrow.
Memorial services will be held 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 23, 2009, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Waverly with Pastor Nancy Schultz and Pastor Lois Knudson officiating.
There will be no public visitation as Leland's body was donated to the University of Iowa Deeded Body Program.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Leland Alcock Memorial Fund, where a memorial direction will be established at a later date.
Online condolences may be left for Leland at www.kaisercorson.com. Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Waverly is assisting the family with services. 319-352-1187.