Willis Eugene Umland

Willis Eugene Umland, the son of Albert and Emma (Rostermundt) Umland, was born July 30, 1933, at his parents’ home in Crawford County near Manilla, Iowa and died October 31, 2013, at the Friendship Home in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 80 years, 3 months, and 1 day. Willis was baptized and confirmed at the First United Methodist Church in Audubon, Iowa. He attended rural school south of Manning, Iowa and also attended the Manning Community Schools. Willis then helped his father operate the family farm. On March 2, 1957, he was united in marriage to Thelma Lacy at the Methodist Church in Miami, Oklahoma. Four children: Dan, Debra, Diane, and David were born to this union. They lived near Ross, Iowa for a short time then moved to Gray, Iowa. Willis farmed with his father. He later was employed by Audubon County working with the secondary roads department. He operated the road maintainer in Lincoln Township for many years. During this time he also continued to farm and doing custom bailing. He retired in 1998. Willis enjoyed driving around the local towns visiting with his many friends then would return home and sit in the front porch swing. Willis and Thelma enjoyed “playing” in their garden, raising all sorts of vegetables. Willis was an avid toy tractor collector especially collecting Farmall and International Harvester tractors. Willis was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Audubon, Iowa and was a member of the Gray Volunteer Fire Department. He also served on the Gray City Council. Preceding him in death were his parents; his father-in-law Floyd Lacy; his brother Merlin Umland; his sisters: Viola and husband Harold Jorgensen; Virgene and husband Bud Mersman; his brothers-in-law: LaVerne Christensen; Robert Wailes; Tom Young; and Lloyd Lacy; Survivors include his wife Thelma Umland of Gray, Iowa; his children: Dan and wife Debra Umland of Audubon, Iowa; Debra and husband Bruce Fyfe of Alleman, Iowa; Diane Umland of Urbandale, Iowa; David and wife Kris Umland of Urbandale; his grandchildren: Stacey and husband Anthony Barber of Coon Rapids, Minnesota; Michelle and husband Matt Siepker of Huxley, Iowa; Michael Umland of Slater, Iowa; Kasi Fyfe and Jacob Fyfe both of Alleman; Matthew Umland and Meredith Umland both of Urbandale; his great grandchildren: Addyson and Tylan Siepker both of Huxley; Mason and Drew Barber both of Coon Rapids, Minnesota; his mother-in-law Lois Lacy of Audubon; his sisters: LaVern Wailes of Boone, Iowa; Betty Young of Audubon; Barbara and husband Larry Linn of Atlantic, Iowa; his sister-in-law Joy Umland of Manning, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Cemetery:
Interment will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon.

Visitation:
The family will meet with friends Sunday evening from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon.

Service:
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Lori Shannon on Monday, November 4, 2013, at 10:30 A.M. at the First United Methodist Church in Audubon, Iowa.