Leroy Merk

LeRoy Roger Merk was born the son of Raymond and Mary (Koenig) Merk on November 4, 1933, in Audubon, Iowa, and passed away May 3, 2010, at the Friendship Home in Audubon, Iowa.

He lived in Audubon County his entire life, attending Audubon High School graduating with the Class of 1951. After high school, LeRoy spent a few years farming with his father. On May 29, 1955, he married Sharlene Larsen in Audubon.

LeRoy served in the United States Navy from March 1, 1956, until November 22, 1957. He spent most of that time on board the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Ticonderoga. He saw the countries around the Mediterranean Sea then went around South America and saw Hawaii and Japan.

After LeRoy returned home from the service, he and Sharlene moved to their present farm on January 1, 1958, and have farmed there ever since. LeRoy loved farming and took good care of the land by building terraces, filling in the low spots in the fields, rearranging the creeks, picking up rocks and waging war on the weeds.
He took excellent care of his machinery too, doing all the repair work himself. LeRoy designed and built equipment, like the carrier for 20 big bales. He also built the shop where he did the repair work. LeRoy dug the basement for the couple's new house in 1970. He did all the wiring, plumbing and carpentry work, not hiring a thing done.
LeRoy liked making things with wood, like the baby bed for their first born, and later, child size tables and chairs for the kids. He has made many things for family and friends over the years.

He loved to water ski, especially on one ski, even after his hand was injured. He always enjoyed playing with the farm cats and each batch of kittens. He loved ice cream, especially Schwan's. He has done a lot of trucking and custom work. He was a most independent, hard working farmer; his strong will accomplishing so much of what he wanted to do. LeRoy's only regret was not being able to finish wind turbine classes.

LeRoy was baptized and confirmed into the Christian faith at the E.U.B Church at Ross, Iowa. He was a member of the United Methodist Church at Ross. He served as president of the congregation when the new church was built. He served as a trustee for the church for 15 years.

Survivors include his wife Sharlene of Audubon, IA.
His daughter, Julie (Rick) Blassl of West Des Moines, IA.
His daughter, Connie (Bob) Jacobsen of Audubon, IA and their children, Cheryl (Mitch) Larsen Zinke and their children, Taryn and Addisyn Leigh Zinke; Adam (Kayla Lender) Jacobsen and Matt (Janel Tott) Jacobsen.
His son, Roger (Karen Siedelmann) Merk of Audubon, IA and their children John (Katie) Merk and their children Lauren and Hunter Merk; Holly Merk and her children, Haillie Anthofer, William Merk and Alex Merk.
His daughter, Mary (Dale) Meiners of Carroll, IA and their children, Ben and Caitlin Meiners.
Also surviving are two brothers, Don and Norman; and many nieces and nephews and other family and friends.

LeRoy was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Mary Merk and a sister, Edith Rogers.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 7, 2010, at Ross Calvary United Methodist Church in Ross, Iowa.

Visitation with family present will be held from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m., on Thursday, May 6, 2010, at Hockenberry-England Funeral Home in Audubon.

Hockenberry-England Funeral and Cremation Services in Audubon, Iowa, is in charge of arrangements.