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Gaylon Heetland

Advisor Image
Gaylon Heetland
Associate
.
CFP®, LUTCF®, FIC, CKA®, BFA™
Part of the WhiteOak Financial Group practice
Farmers
Tax Efficient Planning
Healthcare Professionals
Retirement Planning
Business Owners
About Gaylon Heetland
About Gaylon Heetland

Born from my desire to provide personalized financial guidance for all of life's moments, I founded my practice on June 28, 1995, in DeWitt, Iowa. I enjoyed growing WhiteOak Financial Group, (previously named Mississippi Valley Associates) to multiple locations with a team of amazing, caring professionals who help Christians be wise with money. Along with my wife, Rose, I live on the southwest side of Cedar Rapids, next door to the house where Rose grew up. Blessed to raise my family in America's heartland, it is a privilege to apply my knowledge, experience, and expertise to serve the unique needs of my clients.


Giving back and living generously are at the heart of my core values that spring from my faith. It has been a joy to guide WhiteOak Financial Group in organizing community outreach events where our Thrivent members and many other volunteers have joined us in numerous avenues of service. In 2016, our practice became a Thrivent Community. Since then, we have partnered with a team of volunteer leaders to organize and sponsor over fifty community service projects, including Take Away Hunger meal packaging for food banks and disaster relief, Special Olympics events, DeWitt Referral Center Christmas boxes, HACAP Operation Backpack, care packages for area Deployed Soldiers, fundraisers for various nonprofits such as Project of Hope Wells for Ghana and CareNetworkCR, and homeless veterans projects in partnership with the Willis Dady Homeless Shelter and Veterans Stand Down, to name a few.


I'm here to provide financial guidance that matches how you live and what you believe so you can experience a life rich in meaning and gratitude. Believing that humanity thrives when individuals make the most of all they've been given, I'm here to help you do just that.


Check out our Fall 2026 WhiteOak Financial Group Connections newsletter by clicking HERE!

Specializations
Specializations
I specialize in the following areas:
  • Investments
  • Solutions for businesses
  • Retirement income planning
  • Income tax planning
  • Estate planning
Giving Back
Giving Back

I support these charities and causes:

  • Special Olympics
  • Take Away Hunger-Cedar Rapids
  • Eastern Iowa Liberian Association, Inc.
  • Cleveland Area Neighborhood Association
  • Habitat for Humanity
Professional Highlights
Professional Highlights
  • BFA™ (Behavioral Financial Advisor™), a designation granted by Kaplan Financial Education
  • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Professional, a designation granted by CFP® Board, Washington, D.C.
  • Certified Kingdom Advisor® designation
  • LUTCF® (Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow SM®), a designation jointly granted by The College for Financial Planning® a Kaplan Company and the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA)
  • FIC (Fraternal Insurance Counselor), a designation granted by the Fraternal Field Managers Association
Education and Experience
Education and Experience
  • FINRA Series 63 Uniform Securities Agent State Law Exam
  • FINRA Series 7 General Securities Representative
  • FINRA Series 65 Uniform Investment Advisor
  • Life & Health Insurance License in IA, AZ, IL, CO, WI, MI, MO, MN, NE, NY, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, WA, FL
  • Thrivent Financial Representative since 1995
  • Alumnus of Coe College, Cedar Rapids, IA
My qualifications
  • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®
  • Life Underwriter Trainers Council Fellow®
  • Fraternal Insurance Counselor
  • Certified Kingdom Advisor®
  • Behavioral Financial Advisor™
  • Series 6 - Investment Company Products and Variable Contracts Limited Representative
  • Series 7 - General Securities Representative
  • Series 63 - Licensed Securities Agent
  • Series 65 - Investment Adviser Representative
My state licenses
  • Arizona
  • Colorado
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Illinois
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Missouri
  • Nebraska
  • New Mexico
  • Oklahoma
  • Texas
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • Wisconsin

Insights

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Planning for Special Needs Individuals and Their Families │ Tuesday, September 29, 5:30 – 7 p.m. CT │ Ushers Ferry Lodge, 5925 Seminole Valley Trail NE, Cedar Rapids, IA Join us for a free workshop where Thrivent Financial Advisor Hannah Magrum will discuss the unique complexities that go into planning for special needs individuals and their families. Hannah holds the Chartered Special Needs Consultant®️ designation, is a parent to a child with special needs, and is an ambulatory wheelchair user herself. Topics discussed will include: • Resources: state, local and federal • IEP vs. 504 • Special needs trusts • Medicaid and Medicare • ABLE accounts • Support options • Tax considerations • How personal financial planning impacts special needs planning Enjoy a complimentary meal while we watch Hannah's livestream presentation together. You will have an opportunity for Q&A after she speaks. REGISTER Sign up at https://SpecialNeedsPlanningCR.eventbrite.com. You may also call our office at 319-366-2991 or email teresa.burkett@thrivent.com. If able, please sign up by Wednesday, September 23. Walk-ins are also welcome. This educational event is designed for all families who wish to learn more about special needs planning. We encourage you to invite anyone who may benefit from attending. Ushers Ferry Lodge is ADA-accessible. No products will be sold. For additional disclosures, see Thrivent.com/social.
The great wealth transfer: What baby boomers need to know
The great wealth transfer: What baby boomers need to knowTrillions of dollars are expected to pass to the next generation in what’s being called the great wealth transfer. Taking time to think about how you’d like your assets to be passed on can bring greater clarity for you and the people and causes you care about. It can also help you: • Align your assets with what matters most. • Set clearer expectations for loved ones. • Reduce uncertainty with intentional planning. Discover how to help secure your legacy for your loved ones ⬇️
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Tomorrow! Market & Economic Update watch party lunch │ Tuesday, July 14, from 11:15 to 12:45 p.m. │ The Hotel at Kirkwood Center, Meeting Room 124, 7725 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids Markets are moving, economic signals are evolving, and you’re looking for perspective you can trust. Join us for Thrivent’s Market & Economic Update— a 60 minute live event featuring insights from Thrivent investment leaders to help you make informed decisions in today's market environment. Enjoy lunch provided by our Thrivent Community as we watch Thrivent's livestream presentation together, followed by an opportunity for Q&A with our advisors. To sign up, give us a call at 319-366-2991 or email joanne.renfro@thrivent.com. Walk-ins are welcome! Directions to Meeting Room 124: The closest entry to Room 124 is parking in Kirkwood’s east lot (on the side next door to the Mercy Medical building) and coming in the doors next to the blue emergency phone pole. Room 124 is directly to the left when entering here. No products will be sold. For additional disclosures, see thrivent.com/social.
Join us at an upcoming eventWe’d love to have the opportunity to meet you. We host financial workshops, volunteer opportunities and Thrivent market updates.
The Friday Morning Brew image
The Friday Morning BrewSep 25, 2026, 12:00 PM UTC - Sep 25, 2026, 1:30 PM UTC
Our Cedar Rapids office | 3349 Southgate Ct SW, Ste 101, Cedar Rapids
Coffee and carbs are a great way to ease into your Friday. We'd love to welcome you with some donuts and friendly conversation.
Planning for special needs individuals and their families image
Planning for special needs individuals and their familiesSep 29, 2026, 10:30 PM UTC - Sep 30, 2026, 12:00 AM UTC
Ushers Ferry Lodge | 5925 Seminole Valley Trail NE, Cedar Rapids, IA
Join us for a workshop where Thrivent Financial Advisor Hannah Magrum will discuss the unique complexities that go into planning for special needs individuals and their families. Hannah holds the Chartered Special Needs Consultant®️ designation, is a parent to a child with special needs and is an ambulatory wheelchair user herself.Topics discussed will include:Resources: state, local and federalMedicaid and MedicareSupport optionsHow personal financial planning impacts special needs planningIEP vs. 504Special needs trustsABLE accountsTax considerationsEnjoy a complimentary meal provided by our WhiteOak Financial Group Thrivent Community, followed by Hannah's livestream presentation and an opportunity for Q&A. For meal planning, please sign up by September 24, but walk-ins are welcome!Call 319-366-2991 or email teresa.burkett@thrivent.com if you have questions.This educational event is designed for our clients and families who wish to learn more about special needs planning. We encourage you to invite anyone who youthink may benefit to attend.No products will be sold.Thrivent and its financial advisors and professionals do not provide legal, accounting or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional.Thrivent provides advice and guidance through its Financial Planning Framework that generally includes a review and analysis of a client’s financial situation. A client may choose to further their planning engagement with Thrivent through its Dedicated Planning Services (an investment advisory service) that results in written recommendations for a fee.Thrivent is the marketing name for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Insurance products issued by Thrivent. Not available in all states. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Thrivent Investment Management Inc., a registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC, and a subsidiary of Thrivent. Licensed agent/producer of Thrivent. Registered representative of Thrivent Investment Management Inc. Thrivent.com/disclosures.Insurance products, securities and investment advisory services are provided by appropriately appointed and licensed financial advisors and professionals.Only individuals who are financial advisors are credentialed to provide investment advisory services. Visit Thrivent.com or FINRA’s BrokerCheck for more information about our financial advisors.
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Office locations
Licensing is available through your State Insurance Department’s website, which can be located through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners website.

Thrivent and its financial advisors and professionals do not provide legal, accounting or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional.

Thrivent financial advisors and professionals have general knowledge of the Social Security tenets. For complete details on your situation, contact the Social Security Administration.

Thrivent provides advice and guidance through its Financial Planning Framework that generally includes a review and analysis of a client’s financial situation. A client may choose to further their planning engagement with Thrivent through its Dedicated Planning Services (an investment advisory service) that results in written recommendations for a fee.

Designations
For additional information on professional designations and the requirements to earn them, visit https://www.thrivent.com/designations

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.