Merla Dene Badger

Merla Dene, daughter of Merle Dean and Jacqueline Mae (Tardy) Badger, was born February 9, 1954, in Limestone, Maine. Merla grew up wherever her dad served in the U.S. Air Force. The family lived in Maine, Japan, Texas, and Maryland before settling in her father’s hometown of Bagley, Iowa. Merla graduated from YJB High School in 1972.

Merla was employed for many years by Younkers at Merle Hay Mall and then worked for Principal in downtown Des Moines. Upon her retirement in 2015, she worked part-time at Alco and Ben’s Five and Dime.

Merla, affectionately known as George to close friends and family, enjoyed playing bingo, going to flea markets and auctions with Merle and Jackie, going to the casino, cheering on the Chicago Cubs and Iowa Hawkeyes, eating at the Jamaica Supper Club, watching gameshows, Star Wars, Star Trek (original series), and caring for her cat Hawkeye.

Merla was diagnosed with cancer several years ago. On Wednesday, March 13, 2024, she passed away peacefully at The New Homestead in Guthrie Center, Iowa, at the age of 70 years and 23 days.

Besides her parents, Merla was preceded in death by her grandparents and many aunts and uncles on both sides of the family. 

She is survived by her uncles: Larry Tardy and wife Annette of Limestone, Maine and Lyman “Butch” Tardy of Limestone, Maine; an aunt Wyona “Sissy” Riley and husband Jim of McGregor, Texas; their daughter and Merla’s close cousin Kelly; cousins throughout North America; adopted sister Rose Lulla and husband Andy of Omaha, Nebraska; their children: Amber, Azina, Raj, and Ravi; and their grandchildren: Alaina, Jadyn, Jared, and AJ & Charlotte, Noelle, and Griffin; good neighbors Earl, Early, and Nick Turner; and many friends.

Merla Badger’s funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 22, 2024, at Church of the Brethren in Panora with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will begin at Noon on Friday at the church. Memorials may be directed to the Bagley Public Library in Merla’s Memory.