Eldon Heetland

Eldon Heetland, age 94, of Ocheyedan, Iowa, passed away on Friday, May 1, 2015 at the Country View Manor in Sibley, Iowa. Funeral Services will be Monday, May 11, 2015 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Worthington, Minnesota. Rev. David McDonald and Rev. Mark Squire officiating. Graveside Services at 2:30 P.M. on Monday, May 11, 2015 at the Ocheyedan Township Cemetery in Ocheyedan. Visitation will be Sunday, May 10, from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. with the family present at the Andringa Funeral Chapel in Ocheyedan. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Worthington, Minnesota. To contact a member of the family, go to Sidney Heetland's e-mail at heetland@cox.net Eldon Merritt Heetland was born on February 20, 1921, at home in Ackley, Iowa. He lived his youth in Ackley until moving to Allendorf, Iowa with his parents to a farm north of town. Eventually they moved and rented the farm at 6189 120th Street, Ocheyedan, Iowa. He attended school in Ocheyedan and graduated from Ocheyedan High School. While in high school Eldon was an active member of a singing group that performed at several local civic and school functions. He was also a key member of the Zion Lutheran Church Walther League youth group. Their local group helped transform the naturally wooded land on west Okoboji into what became the LCMS Walther League camp, or simply known today as Camp Okoboji. He was united in marriage to Gladys Hromatko of Lake Wilson, Minnesota on June 13, 1943 at Gladys' family farm home in Lake Wilson. They first met in the 1930's when Eldon's parents took him to meet their new landlords. They discovered they were born on the exact same day. They lived and farmed in Ocheyedan until March of 2011 when they moved to Ecumen Meadows retirement facility in Worthington, Minnesota. They celebrated 70 years of marriage. Gladys passed away on September 29, 2013. Eldon continued to live at Ecumen Meadows until early April 2015, when due to illness, he had to relocate to the Country View Manor in Sibley, Iowa. Eldon was a former member of American Lutheran Church in Worthington, where he was a key Sunday School teacher and Wednesday Release day Bible class teacher. He was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Worthington, Minnesota for many years. Eldon was a life-long farmer in Ocheyedan, but his passion was to be with kids. He spent many years organizing swim parties, roller skating parties, and more for his Sunday School classes and other youth activity groups at the Iowa Great Lakes. He even got his lifeguard license to ensure the safety of his "kids". He was also very dedicated for many years regularly teaching at church and civic events throughout Iowa and Minnesota, the dangers of cults. He passed away on Friday, May 1, 2015 at Country View Manor in Sibley, Iowa. Those left to cherish his memories are his children: Stephen and LaVonne Heetland of Alamogordo, NM, Adra Gipson of Seminary, MS, Nona and Jim Jensen of Fairfield Glade, TN, Sidney and Mary Heetland of Fairfax, VA, Gaylon and Rose Heetland of Cedar Rapids, IA; 16 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys Heetland; his parents, Rube and Anne Heetland; brother, Raymond Heetland and sister, Irene Heetland. In Loving Memory Of Eldon Heetland Born: February 20, 1921 Passed Away: May 1, 2015 Age: 94 years, 2 months and 11 days FUNERAL SERVICE Monday, May 11, 2015 at 10:30 A.M. St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Worthington, Minnesota Family Prayer Service at 10:15 A.M. OFFICIATING Rev. David McDonald and Rev. Mark Squire Scripture Readings by Rev. Kurt Jensen MUSIC Organist: Alex Heetland Prelude and Postlude by Instrumentalists: Jesse and Julie Heetland Special Music JoAnna Lawrence, singing: "Amazing Grace" Paulina Heetland, singing: "On Eagle's Wings' Kate Heetland, singing: "The Road Home" Congregational Songs Opening: "This Is My Father's World" During: "Beautiful Savior" Closing: "Feed My Children, God Most Holy" PLACEMENT OF THE PALL Rev. Kurt Jensen and Rev. Mark Squire CASKET BEARERS Elisabeth Zander Leah Lofton Timothy Heetland Peder Jensen Joshua Heetland Nicole Heetland HONORARY CASKET BEARERS Tabitha Davidson Erik Heetland Emma Squire Shawn Gipson INTERMENT 2:30 P.M. Ocheyedan Township Cemetery, Ocheyedan, Iowa Following the Funeral Service, the family invites all for fellowship and lunch at the church. All Memorials will be given to St. Matthew Lutheran Church ARRANGEMENTS BY Andringa Funeral Home, Larry R. Andringa, Funeral Director