POLAND, Gary D. 1935-2003

POLAND, MAEHRLEIN, PICKING

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 7/11/2011 at 17:59:08

Gary D. Poland, 67, of 412 Frederic Ave., [Waterloo], died Monday, July 14, 2003, at Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa, AZ.

Gary was born September 7, 1935, in Reinbeck the son of Wellwyn and Helen (Maehrlein) Poland. He grew up in Reinbeck and graduated from high school there.

Gary married Greta Picking July 16, 1967 in Waukon, Iowa. He served in the U.S. Army in France and worked for John Deere as a machinist for 33 years, retiring in 1991.

Gary was a loving and caring person, energetic and hard working. He was a member of Kimball Avenue United Methodist Church men's group, Local 838 UAW, and was active in Landlord/Tenant affairs in Waterloo. He was a volunteer with Lutheran Social Services, helping Bosnian families settle in the area. He enjoyed work, making pens, cars, car shows, and auctions. Greta taught him to enjoy traveling and he taught her to shop. For the last couple of years they spent their winters in Mesa, Arizona.

Gary is survived by his wife Greta; daughter Monica (Scott) Watters of Queen Creek, AZ; son Mark (Cindy) Ortega of Oklahoma City, OK; son Jeff Poland of Phoenix; son Michael Poland of Waterloo; 5 grandchildren, Daniel Watters, Brian Watters, Taft Burleson, Nicole Ortega, and Kelly (Robert) Schmuecker; his mother Helen of Reinbeck; and sister Karen (Glen) Lage of Gladbrook; nephew Rodney Slifer and nieces Kathy Jergenson and Joyce Taylor.

[Locke Funeral Home, Waterloo, Iowa]