Wilbur D. Merrill 1930-2020

MERRILL, ANDERSEN, CROUSE

Posted By: Barry R Huntsinger (email)
Date: 9/22/2020 at 07:12:28

Wilbur D Merrill, the son of Adelbert and Beda (Andersen) Merrill was born March 29, 1930, in Marathon, Iowa. He passed away on Saturday, August 22, 2020, at Accura Healthcare in Spirit Lake, Iowa, at the age of 90.

His childhood years were spent in Ayrshire, Iowa on his family’s farm. Received a BA at Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Iowa, where he played baseball. He then served in the US Army during the Korean conflict from 1952 to 1952, where he was a Sergeant and earned 2 Bronze Service Stars. After the war he attended Iowa State College and received a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education.

Wilbur married Marilyn Crouse of Boone, Iowa on November 19, 1955, in Ames, Iowa. After their marriage they moved to Spirit Lake where Wilbur taught Veterans Farm Training. He then worked for Morrell’s as a Livestock buyer in Estherville, and owned an acreage and farm and enjoyed years of raising cattle and his children showing at local fairs. He was an active member of the Estherville United Methodist Church and enjoyed watching sports, cattle auctions and visiting county fairs. He was also a lifetime member of the VFW.

He has six siblings who have passed. Left to cherish his memory are his wife Marilyn, his children Bob, Tom, Jeff and Sue, son -in-law Mike, and daughters-in-law Cathy and Brenda. seven grandchildren: Ryan, Scott, Cole, Sara, John, Max and Hugh, and closest nephews Doug and Craig Merrill of Emmetsburg, Iowa, along with other friends.

(Source: Henry-Olson Funeral Home, Estherville, Iowa.)