Merlyn A. Klein, 83, of Le Mars passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 16, 2015 at the Brentwood Good Samaritan Village in Le Mars. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at All Saints Catholic Parish-St. Joseph Church in Le Mars. Father Kevin Richter will celebrate Mass. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Le Mars with military honors provided by Wasmer Post #241 of the American Legion. Visitation will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, May 18, 2015 at St. Joseph Church. There will be a rosary at 4:00 p.m. followed by a scriptural prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will resume at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday at the church. The Mauer – Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars is assisting Merlyn’s family with funeral arrangements.
Merlyn Anthony Klein was born to Theodore and Frances (Kokenge) Klein in Granville, Iowa on August 13, 1931. He attended school in the same town and assisted with the farming. At age 22 he married Jeanne Treinen from Remsen, Iowa. He then went to Korea to serve his country. After returning from the military, he helped a farmer in Ashton and then went to work for Wells’ Dairy for 37 years. During this time, he and Jeanne had nine children. Jeanne died of cancer on January 1, 1982. Upon retiring from Wells’, Merlyn worked at the Le Mars Community School lunch program for about 8 years.
In September of 1984 Merlyn married Janice Roder from Remsen. They have lived in Le Mars ever since. In May of 2011, due to health reasons, Merlyn moved to the Brentwood Good Samaritan Village of Le Mars.
Merlyn is survived by his wife, Jan Klein of Le Mars, IA; his nine children, Diane Prieksat of Le Mars, IA; Tim (Crystal) Klein of Kansas City, MO; Carmie (Gary) Bosch of Sioux Falls, SD; Dan (Karen) Klein of Phoenix, AZ; Ron (Heike) Klein of Gardner, KS; Julie Kounkel of Jasper, MN; Steve (Bonnie) Klein of Ankeny, IA; Tom (Mindy) Klein of Parkville, MO; and Amy Schumacher of St. George, UT; his brother Jim (Angie) Klein; sisters Verna Bunkers, Clarice (Gerald) Roder and Lois Wiltgen; sisters-in-law Jeanne Ballard, Jenny Treinen, Libby Treinen , Nancy Treinen, Karen (Dennis) Schemmel and Helen Roder; brothers-in-law Lee Treinen, Dick (Mary) Roder and Paul (Betty) Roder; 28 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Merlyn was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife Jeanne; a grandson, Ryan Klein; son-in-law Dave Kounkel; brothers, Marcel and Tom Klein; brothers-in-law, Tony Bunkers, Jim Roder, Dennis Treinen, Doug Treinen and Miles Treinen; and a sister-in-law, LaDelle Treinen.
Memorials may be given in Merlyn’s name to Hospice of Siouxland, Brentwood Good Samaritan Village of Le Mars or All Saints Catholic Parish-St. Joseph Church building fund.
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