Merle E. Sass (1929--2010)

SASS

Posted By: Padriag
Date: 12/23/2010 at 09:21:25

Merle E. Sass

Published: Wednesday, December 15, 2010 3:25 PM CST

Merle E. Sass, 81, of Missouri Valley, died Dec. 5 at Creighton Medical Center in Omaha, Neb.

Funeral services were held at 1 p.m., Dec. 9 at the United Methodist Church in Missouri Valley with Pastor Kim Crummer officiating.

Organist was Genelle Riesland. The congregational hymn was “In the Garden.” Honorary bearers were George Winther, Raymond Brown, Ray Pike, Judson Frisk, Wilber “Bud” Busing, Howard Wood, Greg Anderson and Dennis Osborn. Casket bearers were Jerry Matheny, Terry Baxter, Gaylord Pitt, Pat Sears, Dick Tiffey and Larry Jones. Final resting place was at Hazel Dell Cemetery in Crescent. Military honors were conducted by the Julius F. Muller American Legion Post No. 337 of Missouri Valley.

Merle was born June 1, 1929 in Weston to Walter and Evelyn (Wilding) Sass. He grew up in the Crescent area. His family moved to Woodbine for his junior and senior years and he graduated from Woodbine High School in 1947. He was in the Army from 1951-1953 as a paratrooper for the 508th Airborne Regiment during the Korean War. He married Marjorie Louise Brown June 28, 1953. Merle worked for the Logan Creamery until 1955 when he was approached by Everett Gochenour to work for the Missouri Valley Police Department. With an opening in the Sheriff’s office he was asked by Louie Allstot to be a deputy in 1975. He then became Sheriff in 1980 until his retirement in 1996. Merle loved his flowers, birds, yard, going to auctions, collecting farm tractors and coins and his family. He was a member of the United Methodist Church, Iowa State Sheriff’s Deputies Association, Treasurer for the Missouri Valley Volunteer Fire Department for 13 years, member of the American Legion, Garden Club and last winter received the ByWays of Excellence Award from the hospital.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Marjorie of Missouri Valley; daughter, Renee Hack and husband Mike of Logan; son, Lynn Sass and wife Jill of Elkhorn, Neb.; brother, Marvin Sass and wife Beulah of Council Bluffs; grandchildren, Heather Edney and husband Ross of Logan, Heath Hack and wife Rachel of Logan, Garrett Sass and Gavin Sass both of Elkhorn, Neb.; great grandchildren, Nick, Dana, Carson and Carter Edney and Ethan Hack; sister-in-law, Lois Hatterman of Logan; brother-in-law, Raymond Brown of Logan; numerous nieces and nephews.

Merle was preceded in death by his parents and baby sister Mabel.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the United Methodist Church or the Alegent Health Community Memorial Hospital both in Missouri Valley.

Hennessey-Aman Funeral Home
310 East Huron
Missouri Valley, IA 51555
Ph: 712-642-2745