Garold Heslinga

Garold Heslinga

Garold Heslinga
October 30, 1923 – October 25, 2022
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 98
Served With Honor ~ United States Military Veteran

Garold Franklin Heslinga, 98, of Oskaloosa, passed away on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, at the Mahaska Health Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. Garold was the eldest of four children born to Franklin R. and Anna R. (Van Heukelom) Heslinga and was born on November 30, 1923, in Oskaloosa.

Garold was a 1941 graduate of Oskaloosa High School and then studied pre-law at William Penn College in Oskaloosa for one year. The following summer, Garold traveled to Washington, DC, to work as an FBI file clerk. He then enrolled in George Washington University, resuming his pre-law studies during the school year.

After enlisting in the U.S. Army on March 2, 1943, Garold spent the first nine months of his service in the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP) at Michigan State College and studied the Italian language and culture. On August 27, 1944, he shipped out for the Asiatic/Pacific Theatre, where he served for over 17 months. He was part of the New Guinea, Leyte, and Mindanao PI campaigns and was awarded the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two Bronze Stars. Upon his discharge, Garold enrolled in Drake University Law School and graduated in 1948. He practiced general law in Oskaloosa for 67 years, retiring in 2015. From 1950 – 1956, Garold served as the Mahaska County Attorney.

Garold was a member of the Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers (limited to 275 members), the American Association for Justice, the Iowa Association for Justice, the American Bar Association for over 55 years, the Iowa Bar Association, and the Mahaska County Bar Association. He was also a member of the Board of Governors, Iowa State Bar Association from 1960 – 1966, and the Supreme Court Advisory Committee as to Rules from 1980-1988.

Garold generously served his community through the years, presiding as the Oskaloosa Industrial Park Commission chairman and the Oskaloosa Community Chest. He served as president of the Oskaloosa Jaycees. He was also awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Oskaloosa Rotary Club and the Oskaloosa Chamber of Commerce and was awarded the Community Service award in 1987. The Oskaloosa Community Y. Garold was on the Board of Directors at William Penn University and received their Distinguished Service Award. He was a long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church, serving as an elder and Sunday school teacher.

Garold married Mary L. Coulon on June 19, 1970, in Oskaloosa.

What a full life! Garold actively enjoyed relationships with and service to his family, country, community, legal profession, and, most importantly, God.

Through the years, Garold had many hobbies, including woodworking, glassworking, metalworking, and landscaping. He also took pride in creating a homemade family Christmas card for the last 48 years. These pastimes allowed him to express his creativity and also gave him a means of sharing a part of himself with his loved ones.

Garold was blessed with good health, allowing him and Mary to enjoy many years of extensive travel; the Netherlands and western excursions were two of their favorites. These diversions were entertaining for Garold, but his pleasure in life was his family and going to work each day. The fellowship he had with his partners and fellow lawyers were relationships he cherished, and providing wise and prudent counsel for over 67 years was the work that gave his life true purpose.

Garold is survived by his wife, Mary of Oskaloosa; his children and their spouses: Jane (& Tim) Fessler of West Des Moines, Mark Heslinga of Salem, Oregon, Kim (& Jack) Scieszinski of Albia, Vicki (& Ron) Van Der Pol of Oskaloosa, and Kathy Heslinga of Avon, Colorado; seven grandsons and their wives; one granddaughter; 13 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-granddaughters. He is also survived by his sister, JoAnn, her family, and the families of his deceased brothers, Harold and John Heslinga.

Garold was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Harold and John; and a son, Tim Heslinga.

Funeral Services for Garold will be held at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, November 2, 2022, at the First Presbyterian Church, with Reverend Robert S. Elgin and Pastor Amy McGriff officiating.
The Iowa National Guard Honor Guard will present military honors.
Cremation will follow the service, and private burial will be in Forest Cemetery.
Visitation will begin at 2 p.m., Tuesday, at Langkamp Funeral Chapel; the family will greet visitors from 5-7 p.m.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Mahaska Health Foundation to the Hospice Serenity House or the Welcome Home Soldier Memorial near Albia.

Watch Garold’s service live or later by logging on to the First Presbyterian Church’s Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/FirstPresbyterianOskaloosa