Wallinga, Merrill H. 1919-2006

WALLINGA, LEARNER

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 9/14/2014 at 13:05:52

Sioux Center News May 24, 2006

Dr. Merrill Wallinga
Dr. Merrill H. Wallinga, 87, of Sioux Center died Saturday, May 20, at the Sioux Center Community Hospital. A memorial service was Tuesday at l0 am at Central Reformed Church of Sioux Center with the Rev. R. H. Van Rathbun officiating. Interment was in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center.

Wallinga was born on the family farm near Hull on April 22, 1919, to Peter and Delia (Merrill) Wallinga. He was a graduate of Hull High School and went on to attend Sheldon Junior College and Northwestern Junior College. He received a degree in veterinary medicine from the Iowa State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1942. He began practicing in Cedar Rapids.

He married Marie H. Learner on November 11, 1943, in Hull. He. served a three-year term in the U.S. Army during World War II. After receiving his honorable discharge he returned to practice in Cedar Rapids. In 1950, the couple settled
in Sioux Center, where he practiced veterinary medicine until his retirement.

He was a member of Central Reformed Church of Sioux Center where he served on consistory. He also served on the Sioux Center Community School board, was a member of the Doornink- Brunsting Post 199, American Legion and the Sioux Center Land Development Corporation. During his professional career he was a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Iowa Veterinary Medical Veterinary Medical Association.

Throughout the years Dr. Wallinga mentored many veterinary medicine candidates. He enjoyed helping with harness races held at the Sioux Center Fair Grounds as a member of the Sioux Trotting Association. He was a lifelong fisherman and greatly enhancing his life in later years was his daily patronage at the Sioux Center Public Library.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Marie Wallinga of Sioux Center; two daughters and sons-in-law, Merry Lynn and Jim Roelofs of Baxter, Minnesota, and Charlotte and Bill Long of Watkinsville, Georgia; four grandchildren; three great grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Edith Bomgaars, Mildred Sipma and Harriet Anderson. The Wallinga Family prefers memorials be directed to the Sioux Center Public Library project.