Merle Lester Stoelk

Merle Stoelk

Visitation

Thursday, May 31, 2007

After 4:00 PM

Ohde Funeral Home

Manning Iowa

Funeral Service

Friday, June 1, 2007, 10:30 AM

Zion Lutheran Church, Manning, Iowa

Officiating

Reverend Patrick R. Sparling

Congregational Hymns

Im But a Stranger Here?

Asleep in Jesus!  Blessed Sleep?

I Know That My Redeemer Lives?

Carlys Stribe, Organist

Casket Bearers

Brad Vollstedt     Duane Monson

Scott Hodne     Jim Karstens

  Bill Ranniger     Frank Wegner

Honorary Casket Bearers

Ervin Bauer    Wayne Ranniger

Erwin Stoelk     George Becker 

 Clinton Becker     Clifford Tank

Lyle Stoelk     Charles Stoelk

Wilmer Ranniger

~ In Memorium ~

Emmett Mullen

Interment

Manning Cemetery, Manning, Iowa

   Merle Lester, son of Albert and Elsie (Klindt) Stoelk, was born March 15, 1920 in Jefferson Township, Shelby County, Iowa. He attended country school through the 8th grade and graduated from Manning High School in 1938.

   Following graduation he worked at several miscellaneous jobs and in 1952 began his own real estate, insurance and auctioneering business.

That same year on June 22 he was united in marriage with Eileen Jensen of Botna. She was a country school teacher for many years and later in life had her own H&R Block office in Denison. Merle and Eileen made their home in Manning and raised their four children in the  house that Merle built in South Manning. Eileen died on November 7, 1987 after a long bout with cancer and Merle retired that same year.

   Merle was a baptized and confirmed member of Zion Lutheran Church in Manning and held several positions in the church including church council, building committee, Lutheran Laymans League and usher. He also was a member of the Manning Fire Department for 10 years and the Chamber of Commerce all during his business career, including one year as chair. He was in charge of the Childrens Day Committee for 19 years and was a member of the Manning Development Corporation and Betterment Committee.

   During his retirement years Merle remained in Manning and enjoyed playing cards. When his health began to fail, he became a resident of the Manning Plaza Nursing Home on November 15, 2004. His health continued to decline and he died there on Saturday, May 26, 2007, at the age of 87 years, 2 months and 11 days.

   Preceding Merle in death are his parents; wife; two brothers Leon Stoelk in World War II and Donald Stoelk and a sister Jaenice Popp.

   He is survived by his four children: Eugene Stoelk and wife Karen of Portland, OR; Marlys Stoelk of Ankeny; Dave Stoelk of Los Angeles, CA and Donna Stoelk of Ankeny; five grandchildren Michael Anderson, Nicholas Anderson, Nathan Stoelk, Kristina Stoelk and Rachael Stoelk; two sisters Darlene Porsch of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Berdine Herbers of Las Vegas, NV; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.