William Felix Merkel (1872-1935)

MERKEL

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 8/11/2024 at 21:28:28

From Story City Herald January 2, 1936 (page 3)

WM. MERKEL NATIVE IOWAN

Born Near Story City in 1872, He Had Lived Here All His Life.

William Felix Merkel was the sixth child of Carl C. and Anna Marie Merkel, and was born in the Copenhagen settlement south of Story City nearly 64 years ago, the date of his birth having been Feb. 14, 1872. He grew to manhood in this community and remained a resident thereof until the time of his departure; his death having occurred at the Iowa State hospital at Iowa City on Saturday morning, Dec. 14, 1935. He had been in his usual health condition until in recent weeks when he became confined to his home. After receiving treatment in the home for a short period of time it became noticeable that his condition did not respond to the treatment as had been hoped it would, consequently it was deemed advisable to remove him to the state hospital at Iowa City, where he was less than a week before his passing. His course is now finished, his race is run, and he has gone to receive his eternal reward.

Our friend and brother was of a somewhat retiring nature, very considerate of his fellowmen and a friend to all whom he met. He was a man of integrity and highly regarded by all who learned to know him. Because of his honesty he was entrusted with various responsibilities and for 15 consecutive years was the treasurer of the Danish Brotherhood. He was always very unassuming and modest in his demeanor. Because of his genuinely good-natured disposition, and his kindness, which was conspicuous in all of his social and business relations with his fellowmen, he will be missed in the community.

He was a member of the Grace church Big Brothers Sunday school class for a goodly number of years, and united with the church in more recent years. After he became ill and was confined to his home, he expressed his regret at being unable to attend the church services. He had come to realize the true value of Christian fellowship and the need of worship. Thru his experiences in life he had come to recognize that only God and heaven are abiding and that all else vanishes.

Of the family of ten children there remains but one sister, Miss Julia Merkel of Story City, and six nieces survive him of the immediate family.

We feel that our friend had come to realize that:

"When faith in God goes, man, the thinker, loses his greatest thought.
When faith in God goes, man, the worker, loses his greatest motive.
When faith in God goes, man, the sinner, loses his strongest help.
When faith in God goes, man, the sufferer, loses his securest refuge.
When faith in God goes, man, the lover, loses his fairest vision.
When faith in God goes, man, the mortal, loses his only hope."

The above obituary was read by Rev. Bergeman, who officiated at the funeral held in the Grace church on the Tuesday following Mr. Merkel's death.

Pall bearers were J. C. Jessen, Edward Charlson, John Clausen, Nels Laueson, Hans S. Neson and Nels Martens. Interment was made on the Merkel lot in Center cemetery, where the local Masonic lodge had charge of the rites.

The singing was by a quartet composed of Mrs. Bergeman, Mrs. Wm. Petersen, M. O. Butler and George Sowers.