Landsness, Merlin "Cook" (1937-2016)
LANDSNESS, JEPPESON, SEWALSON, BLOMBERG
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 5/4/2016 at 16:55:39
Merlin "Cook" Landsness
February 8, 1937 - April 3, 2016Merlin "Cook" Landsness, 79, of Arnolds Park, formerly of Sioux Rapids, passed away peacefully at home on April 3, 2016.
Merlin Jay Landsness was born at Sioux Rapids, Iowa, on February 8, 1937, to Austin and Helen (Jeppeson) Landsness. Baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at the First Lutheran Church in Sioux Rapids, he graduated from Sioux Rapids Consolidated Schools in 1954. Then, he attended Iowa State College until he joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1956. He was honorably discharged in 1958.
After completing his military service, he came back to Sioux Rapids and worked at Heidelbauer Hatchery until he accepted a position at the Weyerhauser Lumber Yard where he became the manager. In 1967, however, he left to begin farming on the Landsness farm. Always a "farm boy" at heart, he loved to care for the land and conserve it for future generations. He retired in 2015.
Merlin and Phyllis Sewalson married at Trinity Lutheran Church in Linn Grove on August 6, 1961. To their union, one son was born.
Always liking to drive semis, Merlin began to drive trucks for Oscar Sundblad while he continued to farm. When Oscar retired, Merlin purchased a tractor and trailer and began his own trucking business in 1973. He continued hauling livestock for the next thirty years.
Wanting to do some fishing and boating, Phyllis and Merlin bought a cottage on East Okoboji in 1993. In 2009, they built a permanent home at the Lakes where they retired.
A faithful member of the First Lutheran Church in Sioux Rapids, Merlin served on various boards and offices. In 2012, he and Phyllis transferred to the First Lutheran in Milford where they, also, became active members.
Merlin devoted several years of his life to showing registered quarter horses. Indeed, with his show mare, he won the Iowa Registered Quarter Horse Association trophy in the men's western pleasure division for two years. In addition, he found enjoyment in aiding two young men, Duane Magnussen and Kale Glover, begin their farming careers. Otherwise, he enjoyed having coffee with the "boys", playing cards, and most of all, spending time with his family and friends.
A kind, loving, and gentle man, Cook will be missed by all who knew him. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Phyllis; and his sister-in-law, DeEtte Blomberg; as well as his nephews, nieces, and cousins. Preceding him in death were an infant son, his parents, and his brother Leroy.
A funeral service for Merlin "Cook" Landsness will be held Thursday, April 7, 2016, at 1:30 PM at the First Lutheran Church in West Okoboji. Visitation will be on Wednesday, April 6th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Milford.
Copyright © Turner Jenness Funeral Home, Milford, Iowa
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