Merlin A. Digman 1922-2015

DIGMAN, JANSEN, BEAVES, SCHULTE, BUSHMAN

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 11/23/2016 at 23:40:38

Merlin A. Digman, 93, of Dubuque, was reunited with loving family and friends in heaven Friday, March 27, 2015, at Heritage Manor.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. Monday, April 6, 2015, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 1700 Lincoln Avenue, Dubuque. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery, where military rites will be conducted by the American Legion Post 6. Friends may call from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, April 6, at Hoffmann-Schneider Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 1640 Main St.

Merlin was born January 27, 1922, the oldest son of Arthur and Hilda (Jansen) Digman, who farmed in Kieler, Wisc.

After completing his education at Immaculate Conception school in Kieler, Merlin helped on the family farm for 2 years. He started high school in Cuba City, Wisc., with his younger brother, Eldon, and graduated in 3 years. After high school, Merlin met, fell in love and married Eileen Nauman.

Together Merlin and Eileen weathered the storm of WWII with Merlin serving in the U.S. Army on the east coast. During this time they were blessed with 2 sons. After he was discharged from the Army, the family returned to the Midwest and settled in Dubuque. Merlin worked for two years for John Deere; he left to start his own construction business. Merlin has built many of the beautiful homes in the Dubuque area. Merlin and brother Eldon were like the "property brothers" on HGTV, with Merlin building homes and Realtor Eldon selling the homes. Merlin's youngest brother, Lester, chose the academic way and is a professor emeritus at the University of Nebraska.

Merlin and Eileen were parents of seven children; Gary (Bonnie) Digman, of Guerneville, CA, Terry (Gina) Digman, of Ankeny, IA, Karen Digman, of Santa Rosa, CA, Diane Beaves, of Pittsburg, PA, Dennis Digman, of Fairfield, CA, Carolyn Digman (deceased) and Thomas (Claudia) Digman, of Chicago, IL.

Even with a large family and a busy homebuilding business, Merlin and Eileen found time to travel to Minnesota every summer with the family for a week at the lake. Merlin also in his spare time built a 22 foot cabin cruiser, which made for many fond memories along the Mississippi river.

Merlin's courage and strength were tested once again with the illness and passing of Eileen. He nursed Eileen through her 5 year struggle with cancer and was at her side continually.

Later, through mutual friends, Merlin met and married Monica Schulte. Monica's husband had passed away years earlier, and they found comfort in each other's company. Monica's children, Gary Schulte, of Cuba City, Wisc., Sue (Steve) Bushman, of Dubuque, Peter Schulte (deceased) and Julie Schulte, of Dubuque, were fondly welcomed into the family by Merlin. Monica's passing in 2010 was another heartbreak for Merlin to endure.

Other loving family members to greet Merlin in heaven are his parents, Arthur and Hilda, infant brother, Emil, who was a victim to diphtheria at one year of age, and his beloved brother, Eldon.

Many grandchildren and an ever increasing number of great grandchildren will be reminded by older folks of the kind, thoughtful grandfather that preceded them.

The family would like to thank the staff at Heritage Manor, the nurses of Hospice of Dubuque and Dr. William Manzel for their kind and compassionate care for Merlin.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hoffmannschneiderfuneralhomes.com.

Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA) - Friday, April 3, 2015