Heft Jr., Earle 'Bud' Clayton

Earle “Bud” Clayton Heft Jr., 69, of Rockford, Iowa, died peacefully in his home Thursday evening, Oct. 11, 2012. Funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 15, at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 516 Second St. S, Rockwell, with the Rev. Rhea Evanson officiating. Visitation will be from 4 until 8 p.m. Sunday at Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 Second St. SE, Mason City. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery, Rockford, following lunch at the church.

Bud was born in Washington, D.C., in 1943, the son of Earle and Nora (Woldmoe) Heft Sr. He spent his childhood in Bethesda, Md., and teenage years in Royal Oak and Birmingham, Mich., suburbs of Detroit. That's where Bud met the girl of his dreams, Linda Gigliotti. They were married Aug. 24, 1963, at Peace American Lutheran Church in Southfield, Mich., and together they followed his dreams of becoming a farmer. They moved from the city, settled near Dougherty and raised four children. Throughout the years, Bud enjoyed the freedom of farming, raising corn, soybeans and livestock. One dear friend described him as hardworking, trustworthy and generous, with a quick sense of humor and quiet confidence.

Bud had a lifelong love of the water and sailing his 17-foot Blue Pearl, which over the years embarked across Clear Lake, on Lake Michigan and in the Gulf of Mexico. Bud was a competitive diver on the one- and 3-meter spring boards and became third in the nation of small colleges. He spent 2 1/2 years at Detroit Institute of Technology in Michigan.

He loved all kinds of music, including jazz, blues, Motown, country and bluegrass. Most of all, Bud enjoyed his time with Linda, dinner and a movie ‘date nights' and traveling.

Bud is survived by his wife, Linda, of 49 years; four children, Shane (Nancy) Heft of Rockford, Stephanie (John) Scholl of Mason City, Laura (Kyle) Crispin of Clear Lake and Jesse (Melissa) Heft of Ely; 12 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sister, Cecilia (Larry) Faw of Walled Lake, Mich.; sister-in-law, Beverly Heft of Farmington Hills, Mich.; eight beloved sisters and brothers-in-law; many dear nieces and nephews; and a special Australian exchange daughter, Jodee Betheras.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Earle Heft Sr. and Nora; and brother, Kenneth Heft.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the Earle C. Heft Memorial Scholarship Fund or Hospice of North Iowa.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.Fullertonfh.com website.

Published Oct. 14, 2012 in The Gazette