Leonard Gerling age 91, of Monticello, died Saturday June 1, 2019 at the Taylor House, Unity Point Hospice in Des Moines following a brief illness.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 Thursday morning, June 6, 2019 at St. John Lutheran Church rural Monticello. Interment will be in St. John Cemetery rural Newhall at 1:30 Thursday afternoon.   Rev. Dale Glawatz will officiate at the services. Friends may call from 4 until 7 Wednesday at the Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello. Thoughts, Memories and Condolences may be left at www.goettschonline.com . Memorials may be made to St. John Lutheran Church or Taylor House Hospice in Des Moines.

Surviving are, 2 daughters, Lisa (David) Bielser, Norwalk, Julie (Perry) Lund, Spanaway, WA. and his grandson Erik Lund. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 56 years, Ardith in 2009 and infant siblings Glenn and Marilyn Ann.

Leonard Arthur Gerling was born April 15, 1928 at Mediapolis, Iowa.  He was the son of Albert Benjamin and Meda Marie Buescher, Gerling.   He graduated from the Anamosa Community Schools in 1945, and continued his education at Iowa State University.     Leonard enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and then the Marine Corps Reserves.  He was called up to active duty in 1950 with the start of the Korean War.  While in Korea he received the Marine Corps V Citation for Excellent Service.  He was an air crewman on a night fire mission, flying in an unarmed aircraft, handling and deploying highly combustible flares to illuminate enemy positions for bombing runs.

Following his discharge from the Marines, Leonard returned to Anamosa and began selling insurance for the Equitable Life. Leonard Gerling and Ardith Baumgardner were married on June 14, 1953 at St Andrew Lutheran Church, Van Horne. The couple made their home in Anamosa until 1960 when they moved to Monticello. Leonard partnered with Gus Norlin to build homes in Monticello. He also worked for Standard Parts for several years.  In 1966 Leonard went to work Bowman/Barnes Industries, an auto parts wholesaler.  He called on garages and mechanics all over Eastern Iowa for 48 ½ years retiring in 2014.  He enjoyed talking to everyone he met.