Lula Amy Leerar, of Britt, died on Monday, March 1, 2004, at the Mercy Medical Center North Iowa in Mason City. She was 89.

Honorary casket bearers were Michael Leerar, Gregory Leerar, Monte Leerar, Jon Leerar, Cory Leerar, Douglas Day, Ethon Koenen, Marlene Henning, Cheryl Andersen, Sherri Halfpop, Kama Leerar and Erin Hammond. Casket bearers were Ron Leerar, Jason Leerar, Justin Leerar, Andrew Trunkhill, Chad Trunkhill and Dustin Trunkhill

Lula Amy Leerar, was born on February 21, 1915, near Kanawha, to Albert and Minnie (Brand) Jackson. She received her early education in rural schools and graduated from the Corwith High School in 1933.

On October 3, 1934, Lula wed Herman Leerar at Northwood. The couple lived in the Hancock County area all their lives. Lula was a member of the First Lutheran Church of Britt. She spent many years as a homemaker and farm wife. In 1957, she became employed by the Nebraska Food Packaging Plant in Britt. She later took a job at Winnebago Industries in Forest City, where she worked until she retired in 1980.

Lula enjoyed gardening, playing cards and traveling with her husband and family members. She enjoyed visiting and sharing many special times with her family. Lula enjoyed sewing and made many decorative pillows and quilts for her family. She was a devoted wife and mother. Friends found Lula to be concerned and loyal.

Survivors include her two sons, Duane and his wife, Paulette of Garner, Larry and his wife, Lorna of Britt; four daughters, Leona and her husband, Thomas Welter of Corwith, Darlene Day of Britt, Linda and her husband, Charles Foy of Odebolt and Vickie and her husband, Charles Trunkhill of Algona; daughter-in-law, Teresa Leerar of Britt; 17 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and a sister, Mary Meyer of Percy, Illinois.

Leon P. Kropp, 89, of Garner, died on Monday, March 1, 2004, at the Westview Care Center, Britt.

His funeral was held on Friday, March 5, at the Peace Reformed Church, rural Garner, with the Rev. Jeff DeBoer officiating. Music was provided by organist, Connie Greiman. Special music was provided by Brenda Anderson and Tim Laugesen.

Casket bearers were Don Bell, Larry Bell, Carroll Kropp, Shawn Rasmussen, Grant Anderson and Mark Juhl. Burial was in the church cemetery. The Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Leon Paul Kropp, the son of Paul Fredrick and Elfie Caroline (Pfuhlman) Kropp, was born on October 28, 1914 at Minneapolis, Minnesota. He attended the rural schools near Leonard, Minnesota. In 1936, he moved to Iowa and farmed in Hancock County.

On May 26, 1941, he married Viola Kropp at the Methodist Parsonage in Klemme. They farmed in Hancock County all of their married life. In 1998, they moved into Garner. Due to ill health, Leon spent the past three weeks at the Westview Care Center in Britt. He enjoyed farming, fishing, hunting and spending time with his family.

He was a member of the Peace Reformed Church, where he had served as a deacon and usher. He had served on the board of directors of the Farmer's Coop. Society in Garner and the Garner Shipping Association. He was also a member of the North Garner Community Club.

Leon is survived by his wife, Viola of Garner; three children, Jerry Kropp and wife, Barbara of Garner, Janet Laugesen and husband, Tim of Galesburg, Illinois and Rex Kropp and wife, Jennifer of Klemme; six grandchildren, Brenda Anderson and husband, Grant and their children, Derek, Mara and Kylie of Garner, Sean Rasmussen of Oak Forest, Illinois, Kristin Rooney and husband, Brendan and their son, Lucas of Dale City, Virginia and Libby, Ethan and Austin Kropp of Klemme.

Word has been received of the death of Harvey Wilbur Myers of Dallas Center, formerly of Hampton. Mr. Myers died of natural causes on Sunday, March 7, 2004, in the McAllen Medical Center, McAllen, Texas. He was 66.

Funeral services were held on Monday, March 15, at the Hampton United Methodist Church. The Rev. Bob Connor officiated. Burial was in the Concord Cemetery, Garner. The Sietsema-Vogel Funeral Home, Hampton, was in charge of the arrangements.

Harvey Wilbur Myers, was born on June 22, 1937 at Mitchell. He was the son of Harvey W. and Nellie R. (Nichols) Myers. He received his education in the Algona school system. He served in the U.S. Army.

On September 21, 1957, Harvey Myers married Susan J. Haberkamp at Garner. He was employed as a salesman for the North Central Farm Service in Hampton. He was a member of the Hampton United Methodist Church.

John Maxwell "Max" Sloan, of Corwith, died on Tuesday, March 9, 2004, at the Westview Care Center, Britt, at the age of 91. He was a resident there since September, 2001.

A funeral Mass was held on Monday, March 15, at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Britt, with the Rev. Jerry Blake officiating. Burial was in the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Corwith. The Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home, Corwith, was in charge of the arrangements.

John Maxwell Sloan, was born on March 8, 1913 in Corwith. He was the son of John and Dorothy (Hanlon) Sloan. Max grew up and attended school in Corwith.

He married Madeline Adeline Schaller on January 2, 1935, at the St. Mary's Catholic Church and then farmed southeast of Corwith until retiring in 1978. Max wintered in California where he enjoyed helping farmers. He loved farming, fishing, traveling, and spending time with his family at their cabin in northern Minnesota.

He is survived by six children, Richard Sloan and his wife, Mary Ann of Simi, California, Dorothy Carlson and her husband, Paul of Algona, Robert Sloan and his wife, Deanna of Corwith, James Sloan and his wife, Margaret of Algona, Deanna Slack and her husband, Jamie of Anchorage, Alaska and Kimberly Hanna and her husband, Tim of Lake Mills; 17 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are two sisters, Mary Maxson of Delano, California and Helen Sloan of Corwith; two sisters-in-law, Alice Kelch of Corwith and Helen DeSart of Lake City; and many nieces and nephews.

George "Joe" Heitland Jr. of Buffalo Center, died on Saturday, March 20, 2004, at the Timely Mission Nursing Home. He was 87.

Funeral services for Mr. Heitland were held on Wednesday, March 24, at the First Congregational Church of Buffalo Center. The Rev. Bill Peake and the Rev. Paul Haugen officiated. Music was provided by organist, Kathi Nelson who accompanied soloist, Judy Junkermeier and a congregational hymn. Burial was in the Graceland Cemetery, Buffalo Center. The Winter Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Casket bearers were Travis Dontje, Tim Heidecker, Larry Mountain, Carey Meiz, Scott Heitland, Cdr. Rick Mountain, Brandon Meiz and Randy Meiz.

George Richard Heitland Jr., was born on September 4, 1916 at Thompson. He was the son of George Sr. and Harmka (Pasteur) Heitland. He grew up in the Thompson area.

On October 30, 1934, Joe Heitland and Ruth Elaine Fisher were married at Mason City. The couple made their home in Buffalo Center. Joe was employed in the livestock business, first by Henry Honken, then by his brother, Edward Heitland. He later worked for Hardy Jordahl in the machinery business. In later years he drove a gas truck for Co-op Oil until his retirement.

Joe enjoyed farming and also collected Allis Chalmers tractors. He kept active by walking and golfing. He became a resident of the Timely Mission Nursing Home in May of 2002.

Survivors include in his children, Janell Heidecker and her husband, Ivan of Lakota, Diane Mountain and her husband, Bill of Vernon Center, Minnesota, Connie Melz and her husband, Harlan of Lakota, Terry Heitland of Long Lake, Minnesota and Patricia Dontje and her husband, Gary of Garner; a daughter-in-law, Adelia Heitland of Des Moines; 12 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.

Also surviving are two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Heitland of Buffalo Center and Alberta Heitland of Oelwein; a brother-in-law, Lawrence Leibrand of Buffalo Center; and many nieces and nephews.

George S. Zrostlik, 82, of Garner, died on Wednesday, March 24, 2004, at the Concord Care Center in Garner.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 27, at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Duncan, Fr. Jerry Blake officiating. Donna Young was the lector. Music was provided by organist, Mary Kopacek who accompanied the church choir. Ushers were Melvin Wellik and Leo Wellik.

Casket bearers were Susan Golwitzer, Patricia Hendricks, Jerry Kern, Jane Zrostlik, Steven Zrostlik and Marvin Zrostlik. Burial was in the St. John's Catholic Cemetery in Duncan. The Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

George Simon Zrostlik, the son of John and Mary (Hadacek) Zrostlik, was born on October 28, 1921 at Duncan. He attended the rural schools of Garfield Township and the Britt High School. Following his schooling, he lived and farmed with his parents south of Duncan.  George also helped farmers in the area making hay, threshing, corn picking and doing carpentry work. He lived on the home farm until 1997 when he moved to the Concord Care Center in Garner due to ill health.

George enjoyed fishing and farming. He was a life time member of the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Duncan and the Catholic Workman Branch #51.

He is survived by his brother, John Zrostlik of Britt; a sister, Rose Kern of Wesley; a brother, Paul Zrostlik and wife, Lila of Garner; nine nieces and nephews; and seven great-nieces and nephews.