Ileta May Oakland

Ileta M. Oakland, 86, of Waukon, IA, died Thursday, December 7, 2023, at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Friday, December 15th, at 11:00 AM at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon with Pastor Cathy Jurgens officiating. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may greet the family from 9:30 AM until time of services at church on Friday. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements.

Ileta May Oakland was born May 14, 1937, in Waukon, IA, the daughter of Carl and Esther (Hermeier) Kugel. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon. Ileta attended Ludlow #1 country school in rural Waukon through eighth grade and graduated from Waukon High School in 1955. On December 27, 1964, she married Herman Oakland at Zion United Church of Christ. They farmed together in Ludlow Township before they moved into Waukon in 1992. After moving to town, she cleaned houses for several families and also babysat her grandchildren.

Ileta was a member of Zion United Church of Christ, where she was active in the ladies' groups. She also taught Sunday school, helped with the monthly newsletter, and with the children's library. Ileta loved working in her vegetable and flower gardens. She enjoyed reading, canning her produce from the garden, and loved to bake. Ileta also enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Survivors include her children: Marilyn Oakland and Donald (Sarah) Oakland, both of Waukon; two grandchildren: Emma (Dakota Gies) Oakland and Wade Oakland; two brothers-in-law: Kermit (Linda) Oakland and Gordon (Marlys) Oakland, both of Ossian, IA; sister-in-law Pat Oakland of Castalia, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Herman, who died in 2002; her siblings: Ruth (Hubert) Cooper, Donald, Eldo (Marjorie), and Roger (Mary) Kugel, Marjorie (Calvin) Winter, and LaVonne (Egbert) Ewing; a sister-in-law Marie (Carl) Decker; and a brother-in-law Lloyd Oakland.

Casketbearers are Wade and Emma Oakland, Terry Winter, Pat Burckart, Keith Burger, and Andy Sires.