Lawyer, Courtney Merle (“Merle”) (1934 - 2019)

LAWYER, BENJEGERDES, LAWRENCE, COOK, GARRISON, PETRY, KNAPP, TRENT, KRANTZ, GARRISON

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 5/29/2019 at 16:23:44

Name of deceased: Courtney Merle (“Merle”) Lawyer

Aged: 84 yrs, 7 mo, 27 days

Residence: Harlan, Shelby County, IA

Born: Sep. 12, 1934; Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, IA

Died: May 9, 2019; Myrtue Medical Center, Harlan, Shelby County, IA

Funeral services: Tuesday, May 14, 2019; First United Methodist Church, Harlan, IA; Burial was in the Neola Township Cemetery, Neola, IA

Survived by: Wife of 9 years, Cleo Lawyer of Harlan, IA; children, Charisse (spouse, Marc) Lawrence of Cedar Rapids, IA, Courtney (spouse, Beth) Lawyer of Glendale, AZ, and Brad (spouse, Stacey) Lawyer of Portsmouth, IA; step-sons, Jerry Cook and Jeff Cook, both of Council Bluffs, IA, Dr. Dan (spouse, Anne) Cook of Richmond Heights, MO, Tony Cook of Denver, CO, Dan (spouse, Jayne) Garrison of Harlan, IA, and Jeff Garrison of Irwin, IA; step-daughter, Julie (spouse, Troy) Petry of Council Bluffs, IA; brother, David (spouse, Caryl) Lawyer of Manly, IA; numerous grandchildren, step-grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Courtney Hulbert and Leona Christine (nee Benjegerdes) Lawyer

Education: Attended Danville No. 6 country school (Des Moines County, IA) through Grade 4, and then attended Manly Public School (Worth County, IA), graduating from high school with the Class of 1952. He then attended Iowa State College, Ames, IA, and graduated with a degree in Agronomy in 1956.

Religious affiliation: Member, First United Methodist Church, Harlan, IA

Military service: Upon completion of his college degree in 1956, Merle received a commission in the U. S. Army as a Second Lieutenant, and served 2 years at Fort Sill, OK, and Fort Ord, CA. He transferred to the U.S. Army Reserves, and retired in 1983.

Marriages: (1) Marcella Katherine Knapp; July 30, 1961; Le Mars, IA. They later divorced. (2) Betty Lou (nee Trent) Cook; Jan. 9, 1981; location not provided. Betty died in 2006. (3) Cleopha Krantz Garrison; July 11, 2009; First United Methodist Church, Harlan, IA

Employment: After completing his active Military service, Merle began a career as a Soil Conservationist with the U.S. Soil Conservation Service in LeMars, Anthon, and Harlan, IA. He retired in 1994.

Hobbies/Interests: Member, Harlan and Harlan Golden Key Kiwanis Clubs, and had served as president of both clubs; member, Eastern Star; 50-year member of the Masons (Parian Masonic Lodge 321 AF&AM), and served as Master in Harlan for a year; member, Shelby County Historical Society and had served on its board and as president of the board. Merle enjoyed family genealogy, history, and travel.

Sources: harlanonline.com; kjan.com; burmeisterjohannsen.com