Roland Weiland, age 73, surrounded by his loving family, has filed his last flight plan as he has earned his heavenly wings on Wednesday, May 21, 2014, after a 20-month battle with pancreatic cancer.
Memorial services were held 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, 2014, at Memorial Lutheran Church in Nevada, with Pastor David Burling officiating. The family received friends at the church on Tuesday from 5-7 p.m. Burial was in Nevada Municipal Cemetery.
Roland was born June 13, 1940, in Britt, Iowa, to Richard and Florence (Benham) Weiland. He was raised on a farm northwest of Britt, attended a one-room country school until eighth grade, and graduated from Britt High School in 1957. Roland began his career with the Iowa Department of Transportation in the summer of 1957 on a survey crew. He was transferred to the to the right-of-way cost estimating department in the Ames office in 1960, in 1963 transferred to the photogrammetry division, and retired in 2004 after 47 years of service.
He had many hobbies, including collecting and rebuilding toy farm tractors. Flying was his passion, as he owned and maintained three different aircrafts. He also flew tow pilot for a local glider club from 1991-2006. Roland joined the Commemorative Air Force in 1998-2006 as PX Officer and participated in air shows in the Midwest and Texas. He also was a member of the Iowa Military Aviation Museum in Ankeny, helping in the restoration of World War II aircraft.
Roland is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Mary; two daughters, Debra (Phillip) Corr of Perry, OK, and Lisa (Stephen) Weber and granddaughter Rachael of Anthem, AZ; a step-grandson, Stevie Weber and son Caden of Anthem, AZ; two brothers, Roger (Marlys) Weiland of Elma, and Steve (Mary) Weiland of Rhome, TX; two sisters, Ramona (Pat) Orr of West Palm Beach, FL, and Rita (Jack) Richards of Iowa Falls; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Bonnie Weiland of Fremont, Sandy Weiland of Port St. Lucie, FL, Norman (Lenora) Holtorf of Hastings, MN, Robert Holtorf of Mankato, MN, Alvin Holtorf of Motley, MN, LaVern (Jane) Holtorf of Ankeny, Bernard (Luella) Pankuk of Britt, and Lori (Jim) Kapler of Des Moines; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Also surviving are special friends, Dave, Connie, and Amanda Passmore of Elkhart, Larry and Liz Forney of Colo, and Elvin Hebner of Ankeny, who provided much caring, family support, and personal help during his difficult time.
He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers, Robert, Ronald, and twins Keith and Kenneth Weiland.
Ryan Funeral Home of Nevada was entrusted with the care of Roland and his family.