Merle F. Menzel
March 25, 1925 — November 27, 2017
Merle F. Menzel, 92, of Marion, passed away Monday, November 27, 2017 at his home. The family will greet friends from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 1, 2017, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marion. Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. conducted by Father David O’Connor. Burial will take place with military honors provided by the American Legion Post #298 at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Arrangements by Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Marion.
Merle was born March 25, 1925 in Dubuque, Iowa, the son of Joseph and Louise (Clemens) Menzel. At the age of 18, he enlisted in the United States Army. Merle received the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Infantryman Badge in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. He graduated from Loras College in Dubuque in 1947, and furthered his education at Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota. On December 29, 1952 Merle was united in marriage to Mary Lou Trenkle in Dubuque, Iowa. He was an engineer at Iowa Electric Light and Power Company. Merle was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Marion.
Merle was a ski instructor and was an avid downhill skier until he was 88. He also enjoyed model airplanes and wood carvings. Merle loved airplanes and had his pilot’s license. He volunteered at the EAA Oshkosh Airshow for many years.
Merle is survived by his wife, Mary; two daughters, Sue (Don) Beitzel and Jean (Tom) Hoffmann; three grandchildren, Sarah (Chris) Sloane, Nick (Jessica Baltzley) Voss and Elizabeth (Tyler) Wright; seven great-grandchildren, Joseph, Norah, Chloe, Olivia, Joshua, and Caroline Sloane and Rowan Voss; brother, Joseph (Mary) Menzel; and sister, Ann Menzel.
He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Katherine Menzel.
In lieu of flowers, please make a gift in Merle’s memory to Camp Courageous at 12007 190th Street Monticello, Iowa 52310.
Merle was born March 25, 1925 in Dubuque, Iowa, the son of Joseph and Louise (Clemens) Menzel. At the age of 18, he enlisted in the United States Army. Merle received the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Infantryman Badge in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. He graduated from Loras College in Dubuque in 1947, and furthered his education at Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota. On December 29, 1952 Merle was united in marriage to Mary Lou Trenkle in Dubuque, Iowa. He was an engineer at Iowa Electric Light and Power Company. Merle was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Marion.
Merle was a ski instructor and was an avid downhill skier until he was 88. He also enjoyed model airplanes and wood carvings. Merle loved airplanes and had his pilot’s license. He volunteered at the EAA Oshkosh Airshow for many years.
Merle is survived by his wife, Mary; two daughters, Sue (Don) Beitzel and Jean (Tom) Hoffmann; three grandchildren, Sarah (Chris) Sloane, Nick (Jessica Baltzley) Voss and Elizabeth (Tyler) Wright; seven great-grandchildren, Joseph, Norah, Chloe, Olivia, Joshua, and Caroline Sloane and Rowan Voss; brother, Joseph (Mary) Menzel; and sister, Ann Menzel.
He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Katherine Menzel.
In lieu of flowers, please make a gift in Merle’s memory to Camp Courageous at 12007 190th Street Monticello, Iowa 52310.
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