Merle Lester Stoelk

STOELK

Posted By: Marthann (email)
Date: 6/4/2007 at 14:49:17

Merle Lester Stoelk

(March 15, 1920 - May 26, 2007)

Visitation

Thursday, May 31, 2007

After 4:00 PM

Ohde Funeral Home, Manning

Funeral Services

Friday, June 1, 2007, 10:30 AM

Zion Lutheran Church, Manning, Iowa

Officiating

Reverend Patrick R. Sparling

Music

“I’m But a Stranger Here” “Asleep in Jesus”

“I Know That My Redeemer Lives”

Congregation

Carlys Stribe, Organist?

Casket Bearers

Brad Vollstedt Duane Monson Scott Hodne

Jim Karstens Bill Ranniger Frank Wegner

In Memorium ~ Emmett Mullen

Honorary Casket Bearers

Irv Bauer Wayne Ranniger Wilmer Ranniger

Irwin Stoelk George Becker

Clinton Becker Clifford Tank

Interment

Manning Cemetery, Manning, Iowa

Merle Lester, son of Albert and Elsie (Klindt) Stoelk, was born March 15, 1920 in Jefferson Township, Shelby County, Iowa. He attended country school through the 8th grade and graduated from Manning High School in 1938.

Following graduation he worked at several miscellaneous jobs and in 1952 began his own real estate, insurance and auctioneering business.

That same year on ??? he was united in marriage with Eileen Jensen of Botna. She was a country school teacher for many years and later in life had her own H&R Block office in Denison. Merle and Eileen raised four children and made their home in Manning, where shortly after their marriage he had built their home in South Manning. Eileen died on November 7, 1987 after a long bout with cancer and Merle retired that same year.

Merle was a baptized and confirmed member of Zion Lutheran Church in Manning and held several positions in the church including church council, building committee, Lutheran Layman’s League and usher. He also was a member of the Manning Fire Department for 10 years and the Chamber of Commerce all during his business career, including one year as chair. He was in charge of the Children’s Day Committee for 19 years and was a member of the Manning Development Corporation and Betterment Committee.

During his retirement years Merle remained in Manning and enjoyed playing cards. When his health began to fail, he became a resident of the Manning Plaza Nursing Home on November 15, 2004. His health continued to decline and he died there on Saturday, May 26, 2007, at the age of 87 years, 2 months and 11 days.

Preceding Merle in death are his parents; wife; two brothers Leon Stoelk in World War II and Donald Stoelk and a sister Jaenice Popp.

He is survived by his four children: Eugene Stoelk and wife Karen of Portland, OR; Marlys Stoelk of Ankeny; Dave Stoelk of Los Angeles, CA and Donna Stoelk of Ankeny; five grandchildren Michael Anderson, Nicholas Anderson, Nathan Stoelk, Kristina Stoelk and Rachael Stoelk; two sisters Darlene Porsch of Colorado and Berdine Herbers of Las Vegas, NV; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

http://www.ohdefuneralhome.com