Herman J. Murken (1922-2006)

MERKEN, LEININGER, WISECUP, HARMAN, ANDERSON, WILHEMI, NUESE, MEYERS, CAIN, ELY, SIEFERING, SCOTT

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 12/28/2007 at 22:23:18

THE STORY CITY HERALD, Story City, Story County, Iowa, Wednesday, February 15, 2006.

Herman J. Murken, 83, of Boone passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2006 at his home in Boone.

Herman Murken was born on July 23, 1922 in Harrison Township, Boone County, Iowa, the son of Herman Adam and Amelia Sophia (Leininger) Murken. He attended St. Paul's Lutheran School and graduated from Story City High School.

Herman married Darlene Iona Wisecup on December 10, 1945 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church Parsonage, N.E. Boone County, Iowa. He served in the U.S. Army. He was a Medic at Sam Houston Hospital in San Antonio, Texas and was a POW guard at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, he then was deployed overseas. After the military, he farmed in Harrison Township, while farming he worked with Jordan Elevator for several years, and for the ASCS office, and then as a sales representative for Vinton Seed Corn Company. In later years he farmed additional farm ground. After retiring, the couple moved to town in 1987, and he worked with the election polling places in town.

Herman was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church of N.E. Boone County. In the last year and half he volunteered on the reconstruction of the Parish Hall. He was an Elder of his church and served on the Trinity – St. Paul's Lutheran School Board of Education. He was a 4-H Leader. Herman was always involved with family, especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed gardening, growing flowers, farming and watching the St. Louis Cardinals Baseball.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Darlene; his son, Duane Murken; his granddaughter, Sarah Harman; four brothers, E.H. Murken, Raymond Murken, Edward Murken, Byron Murken; four sisters, Therese Anderson, Frieda Wilhelmi, Flora Nuese, Caroline Murken.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Marla and Larry Meyers of Boone; son, Dwight (Dewey) Murken of Urbandale; daughter and son-in-law, Rhonda and Rev. Michael Harman of Newell; daughter and son-in-law, Mari Lynn and John Cain of Boone; daughter and son-in-law, Brenda and Ken Ely of Boone; 17 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Sharon Murken of Cedar Rapids; sister and brother-in-law, Evelyn and Wilbur Siefering of Clarinda; and sister, Ruth Scott of Augusta, Georgia.
Funeral services were held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 4, 2006 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, N.E. Boone County. Rev. Bruce Lakamp and Rev. Michael Harman officiated.

Burial was in St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery, next to the church. Full Military Honors were conducted at the graveside by the Boone Veterans Council.

Memorials may be given to St. Paul's Lutheran Church or the Laborers For Christ.