Miller, Merlyn R. 1930-2013

MILLER, CROW, KLAVE, GERJETS

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 3/8/2015 at 15:27:31

The Sioux City Journal
October 23, 2013

Merlyn R. Miller

CHEROKEE, Iowa | Merlyn R. Miller, 82, of Cherokee, died Friday, Oct. 18, 2013, at a Sioux City hospital.

A celebration of life service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Cherokee. The Rev. Jane Johnston will officiate. Private family graveside services will be prior to the service Friday in Plymouth Presbyterian Church Cemetery, rural Le Mars, Iowa. Visitation for family and friends will be 6 to 8p.m. Thursday at Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee. Merlyn’s request was to be cremated.

Merlyn Ray Miller was born on Dec. 22, 1930, in Ruble, Iowa, to Abe and Violet Crow Miller. He attended country school K-8 and graduated from Le Mars High School in 1949. He attended college at Wayne State College and Westmar College. He graduated from Westmar in 1958. He received a master's degree from Colorado State in 1964. Merlyn was member of the 1949 undefeated Wayne State football team. He was inducted into the Wayne State Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999.

Merlyn and LaVonne Klave were married on Oct. 14, 1951, at the Lutheran church in Craig, Iowa. They farmed for five years and then Merlyn went into the field of education. He taught for 35 years in the towns of Clara City, Minn., Akron, Iowa, and Cherokee. He was a teacher, coach, counselor and drivers education instructor. They were members of the Presbyterian churches in rural Le Mars and Cherokee. This marriage was blessed with three children, Linda, Jay and Todd. Merlyn’s wife, Lavonne, passed away on April 9, 1985.

On Dec. 20, 1986, Merlyn and Mary Ann Gerjets were married at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Cherokee. With this marriage he acquired a stepdaughter, Barbara and Tim Behrens and their sons, Nicholas and Steven.

Merlyn and Mary Ann retired in 1993. They spent many wonderful years traveling, camping and spending time with their families. Merlyn’s hobbies included crafts, carpentry, camping and making ice cream. His greatest joy was spending time with his children, 10 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. Merlyn was proud of his profession and enjoyed having former students stop by and visit.

He is survived by wife, Mary Ann; daughter, Linda and Steve Schram of Norfolk, Neb.; sons, Jay and Sharon Miller of Akron, and Todd and Kim Miller of Cherokee; a stepdaughter, Barb and Tim Behrens of East Troy, Wis.; grandchildren, Erin and Doug Ollendike of Polk City, Iowa, Brian and Amy Schram of Papillion, Neb., Shaun and Sonya Miller of Ankeny, Iowa, Sarah and Thor Peterson of Sioux Falls, S.D., Scott and Charisse Schram of Ankeny, Travis and Jamie Miller of Ankeny, Gregory Miller of Atlanta, Ga., Jordan Miller of Cherokee, and Nicholas Behrens of Rio Rancho N.M.; great-grandchildren, Dylan, Addison and Landon Ollendike, Brooklyn and Payton Schram, Mackenzie, Jay and Julia Miller, Bain and Lola Peterson, Simon and Everett Schram, Braley and Camden Miller; and brothers, Wayne of Hospers, Iowa, and Robert (Lois) of Hereford, Ariz.

Merlyn was preceded in death by his wife, LaVonne; his parents; baby brother, Stanley; sister, Irene Molloy; sister-in-law, Margaret Miller; brother-in-law, Bert Renken; grandson, Steven Behrens; niece, Mary Miller Remus; a nephew, Terry Oltmanns; and Mary Ann’s son, Steven.

In lieu of flowers, please give your donations to your favorite charity.