Leland Weitzel

Leland Charles Weitzel, age 87, of Wall Lake, IA, passed away on Tuesday, July 6, 2004, at Twilight Acres Nursing Home in Wall Lake. Leland was born February 6, 1917, on the family farm northeast of Odebolt IA, the son of Louis Phillip and Anna (Dobbert) Weitzel. He received his education by attending a country school near Odebolt and graduating from Odebolt High School in 1935.

Leland served as a T/5 with the 79th Infantry Division, U. S. Army, in Europe during WW II. He entered the service on June 8, 1942, at Fort Crook, NE, and was honorably discharged on November 26, 1945, at Camp Polk, LA. He returned to Sac County and was united in marriage to Marjorie Elizabeth Nutzman on September 8, 1948, at her parents’ home near Odebolt.

Leland was baptized on June 10, 1917, at the Odebolt Reformed Church and was confirmed on March 29, 1931, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Odebolt. He was an active member of Peace Lutheran Church, Wall Lake where he was a Sunday School teacher, church council member and officer, 50 year choir member, and custodian. He was also a Walther League Zone President, Lutheran Layman’s League Zone Officer, Aid Association for Lutherans branch officer, member of Wall Lake American Legion Chalon Post No. 262, and a former Wall Lake city councilman. Leland shared his beautiful tenor voice in more than 200 funerals. He also sang at numerous weddings and other community events.

Leland farmed near Wall Lake for 25 years, then was a custodian and bus driver for the Wall Lake School for more than 15 years.

Leland is survived by his wife, Marjorie at Twilight Acres; son and his wife, Norman and Linda of Ames, IA; two daughters and their husbands, Carol and David Hanneman of Center Point, IA, and Nadine and Jeff Ruffer of Hilliard, OH; eight grandchildren, Kate and T.J. Ramsey, Jill and Andrew Hepker, Brian Hanneman, Sarah Weitzel, Bethany and Josh Prins, Karleen Weitzel, Rachel and Abby Ruffer; great-granddaughter, Haley Hepker; and three sisters, Verna and Frank Zadow and Leila Smith all of Early, IA, and Louanna and Lew Jensen of Warsaw, MO; nieces; nephews; and cousins

He was preceded in death by his parents; and an infant brother.

Funeral services for Leland will be Thursday, July 8th, 10:30 a.m., at Peace Lutheran Church at Wall Lake, Iowa, with Reverend Roger Carlisle officiating. Carol Nuetzman, organist, and Jan Potthoff, keyboard, will accompany the Peace Lutheran Choir and Congregational singing. The flower arrangements will be taken care of by Audrey Lamaak, Elsie Ogren, and Ruth Gerdes. Pallbearers include the following: Jack Nuetzman, Randy Nuetzman, Rev. Todd Bunge, Steve Nuetzman, Danny Nuetzman and Jerry Irwin. Burial will be at the Wall Lake Cemetery under the direction of the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home.

Visitation is at the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Wall Lake, Wednesday, July 7th, from 4:00-8:00 pm.