Merle Winther

Merle Edwin, son of Ludwig and Nora (Rasmussen) Winther, was born June 29, 1923 on a farm in Audubon County, Iowa. He lived with his family on the farm and attended rural school. At a young age he started working out on area farms, wherever he could find a job. He then started working at Jessen Produce. In 1943 Merle was drafted into the United States Army where he served until his honorable discharge in 1946. He returned to Audubon County where he worked driving a gas truck. On March 26, 1946 Merle was united in marriage with Lucille Petersen at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Kimballton. They made their home in Kimballton until 1975 when they moved to Harlan where he worked for the Shelby County Road Dept. He drove truck for the county and then finished his career at the landfill, retiring in the mid-1990s. They remained in Harlan until Merle took a fall and broke his hip in late 2013. He entered Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn and his wife moved to Elk Horn several months later. During his life Merle was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Kimballton and AmVets Post 51. Merle entered hospice care at Salem Home and died Saturday, August 16, 2014 at the age of 91 years, 1 month and 18 days. Preceding Merle in death are his parents; son Curtis Winther in 1982 and brothers Julius, Arnold and Harold Winther. He is survived by his wife Lucille Winther of Elk Horn; sister Esther Bivans of Hemet, CA and nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. REVEREND SAM JACOBS, OFFICIATING Music "IN THE GARDEN" "HOW GREAT THOU ART" CONGREGATION "OUR FATHER HAS LIGHT IN HIS WINDOW" LYNETTE WALL, SOLOIST SHERRY HANSEN, ACCOMPANIST Casket Bearers DEAN WINTHER TOM HANSEN RANDY BONNESEN RANDY MADSEN BRENT MADSEN WAYNE MADSEN Honorary Casket Bearers RICK LEINEN ALLEN BRUCK DENNY SIEMERS DARRELL NELSON EIWIND MADSEN CLARENCE HARDER JERRY HANSEN EDDIE ROOS