Leland Hirt, age 88, passed from this life Tuesday, November 27, 2007. He was a kind, gentle man who never said an unkind word about anyone. Leland was born to Hugo and Lula Hirt September 1, 1919, and later farmed near Hartley, Iowa. He married Bernice Hoeman April 20, 1941, and together they had two daughters, Barbara Heater (Robert) of Newton and Laurie Hirt of Atlantic. In 1950, they moved to Spirit Lake, Iowa where they resided until 1959. Leland was a carpenter most of his life and after moving to Des Moines, he built several homes. Leland's hobbies were hunting and raising and training black labs. He created and was president of the Mid Iowa Retrievers Club, and was in charge of putting on two large field trials every year.

Besides his wife and two daughters, Leland is survived by three grandchildren, Leon Freeman, Jr., (Sandy) of Clive, Kyle Hunt (Daylene) of West Des Moines, and Bradi Dale (Bryan) of Morning Sun; five great-grandchildren, Kayla and Jamie Dale, Parker and Elise Freeman, and Savannah Hunt also survive him. His parents and his sister, Darlene Gipson, preceded him in death.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., on Saturday, December 1, 2007, at Brooks Funeral Care University Chapel, 7975 University Blvd., Clive, IA 50325.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made to Mitchell Village Care Center, Mitchellville, Iowa for their Van Fund.