Hetzler, Harland Elmer

Harland Elmer Hetzler died Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012, from complications from surgery. He was one day short of his 92nd birthday. He was the son of Elmer Hetzler and Frieda (Kretschmer) Hetzler.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lenore Mumm; and one son, Dale.

He is survived by two sisters, Corrine McKee of Muscatine, and Agnes Miller of Bettendorf; four children, Joel (Gin) Hetzler, Jane Chukas, Jeff (Julie Carroll) Hetzler and John (Marcia) Hetzler; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Harland was born on a farm in Muscatine County, near Wildcat Den State Park, Jan. 26, 1920, and attended rural school, graduating from Muscatine High School in 1937. He farmed until 1958 and moved to Monticello, where he sold insurance and real estate. He later served as sexton of Oakwood Cemetery. He was noted for his woodcarvings and often sang solos for church, weddings and funerals. He was awarded a lifetime membership in the Monticello Chamber of Commerce, served on the St. Matthew's Church Council, the board of directors of Camp Courageous, the Monticello Public Library Board and The John McDonald Hospital Board. He rode bicycle on RAGBRAI for three trips after the age of 68 and won a gold medal in the Iowa Olympics in 1968 for a 54 mile bike race in less than three hours.

He wanted it to be known that all successes in the endeavors noted above, he would not nor could he have enjoyed without the faithful love of Lenore, his wife.

Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, 226 N. Cedar St., Monticello. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the church.

Memorial donations may be made to the St Matthew's as well.

The family has entrusted the care of the arrangements to Iowa Cremation.

Published in The Gazette Jan. 31, 2012.