Roger Heitland

Roger “Bud” LeRoy Heitland, 94, of Clear Lake, died Wednesday, May 2, 2018, at Concord Care Center, in Garner, Iowa.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, May 8, 2018, at the Clear Lake United Methodist Church, with Pastor David Peterson officiating.  Burial was at Memorial Park Cemetery, in Mason City.

  In lieu of customary remembrances, family suggests memorial contributions to the Clear Lake VFW Memorial and may be sent to PO Box 112, Clear Lake, IA 50428.

Bud was born on Dec. 22, 1923, the son of Aldrich “Ed” and Carrie Ann (Buss) Heitland, in Clear Lake.  He married Madonna May Spencer on Aug. 3, 1946, in Blue Earth, Minn.

A graduate of Clear Lake High School, Bud served in the United States Navy Air Corps during World War II and was stationed in the South Pacific.  He was honorably discharged on May 17, 1946.  Following the war, Bud farmed for many years, retiring in 2011.

Bud was a member of the Clear Lake VFW Post 4868 and a charter member of the VFW Roundtable.  He enjoyed drag racing earlier in life, vintage Corvettes, and golf later in life.  He and Madonna liked to travel during the winter months to enjoy the ocean and attend the Daytona 500.  He especially loved attending his children and grandchildren’s activities.

Bud is survived by his wife of 71 years, Madonna Heitland, of Clear Lake; two children, Debbie (Darl) Dingman, of Marietta, Ga. and Brad (Jeanette) Heitland, of Algona, Iowa; five grandchildren, Darrin (Jane) Dingman, of Miami, Fla., Desiree Elliott, of Marietta, Derek (Jules) Dingman, of Marietta, Scott (April) Heitland, of Grimes, Iowa, and Brent (Mindi) Heitland, of Waukee, Iowa; and eight great-grandchildren.      

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Ardis Callanan and husband, Ed; and a brother, Lester Heitland and wife, Alberta.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.