MERFELD, Richard E. 1929-2016

MERFELD, GARBER, STABENOW, LEAVER

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 6/10/2016 at 11:23:09

Funeral Mass for Richard E. Merfeld, 86, of Greene, will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 20, 2016, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Greene, with Rev. Msgr. Walter Brunkan officiating. Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Greene.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Thursday, May 19, 2016, at Retz Funeral Home, 519 N. First St. Greene and will continue at the church one hour before services. A Rosary Service will be at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday.

Richard Merfeld was born October 23, 1929, in Marble Rock, Floyd County, Iowa, the son of Leander and Gila (Garber) Merfeld and died on Sunday, May 15, 2016, at the Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City, Iowa.

He attended grade school at St. Mary’s School at Roseville and graduated from Marble Rock High School in 1947. Richard entered the United States Army on August 31, 1951, serving during the Korean Conflict until honorably discharged on June 17, 1953. Following his discharge he started farming with his father and brothers.

Richard was united in marriage to Rita Stabenow on December 29, 1956, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Greene. They were blessed with three children. The couple made their home on the family farm until they retired and built a home in Greene in December 1993. Though retired, Richard spent every spring and fall helping his son Mike “get the crops in and out”. He loved the farm!

Richard was a member of St Mary Catholic Church in Greene where he was a 4th degree Knights of Columbus. His faith, family and friends was very important to him. He loved to laugh and frequently shared a joke or two with others. He adored his grandchildren and loved hearing about their lives.

Richard was a past board member of the Farmers Elevator Board at Rockwell-Dougherty, served on the board of the Rockford Golf Course and was a member of the Tack Barnett Post 268 American Legion of Greene.

Richard is survived by his loving wife Rita of 59 years; his children: Mike Merfeld of Greene, Theresa (Brook) Vickery, Rosemount, MN, and Dave (Lynne) Merfeld, Walla Walla, Washington; seven grandchildren: Zach (Alysha) Merfeld, Jordan (Andrew Hilton) Merfeld, Rachel Vickery, Mark Vickery, Trent Merfeld, Jenna Vickery, and Tyler Merfeld; two great-granddaughters: Cadence Merfeld and Taylor Rita Merfeld; great-grandson, Brady Richard Merfeld; brothers: Roger (Edi) Merfeld, Rockford; Ray (Eva) Merfeld, East Dubuque, IL; sister, Mary Jeanne (Fran) Stadler, Queen Creek, AZ; sisters-in-law: Myrna Merfeld, Weslaco, TX, Evelyn Stabenow, Allison, Carla Phalen, Cedar Falls; and by many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Kenneth Merfeld; sister Rose Leaver; and by a niece, Julia Merfeld.

Memorials may be directed to the Richard Merfeld Memorial Fund at P.O. Box 492, Greene, Iowa 50636.

Source: Retz Funeral Home