Obituary for Merlin Charles Singer Le Mars, Iowa – Merlin C. Singer, 94, of Le Mars, Iowa passed away on Thursday, May 15, 2014 at the Brentwood Good Samaritan Village in Le Mars. Funeral services will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 19, 2014 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Le Mars. Rev. Jean Ziettlow and Rev. Peter Rosenkvist will officiate. Burial will follow at Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 18, 2014 at the Mauer – Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. The family will be present from 4-7 p.m. with a prayer service scheduled at 7:00 p.m. There will also be one hour of visitation at the church prior to the service on Monday.

Merlin Charles Singer was born on Janaury 1, 1920 in Elkton, South Dakota to Urban and Katherine (Bentz) Singer. He attended St. Joseph's Catholic School in Le Mars. Following high school, Merlin worked at the local bowling alley. He enlisted in the Iowa Army National Guard in Le Mars. He had served three years when the unit was activated during WWII.

On December 21, 1941 Merlin and Lois Berkenpas were united in marriage at Elk Point, South Dakota. Merlin was inducted into the United States Army on February 10, 1941 and served as a Staff Sargent. He earned his Honorable Discharge on August 14, 1945. When Merlin returned from the war he went to Pew Auto and worked as a mechanic. He later worked at the Sinclair Service Station before taking a position at Sioux Tools in Le Mars in the late 60's. Merlin retired from Sioux Tools at 65.

Merlin was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Le Mars. He enjoyed woodworking and carpentry. He and Lois also made many craft projects. He was an avid sports fan and followed the local teams closely. He rarely passed up an opportunity to play his harmonica for others to enjoy.

He will be lovingly remembered by his four daughters, Nancy Rensink of Hinton, IA, Linda and Dean Oloff of Le Mars, IA, Barbara and Alton Jackson of Hastings, NE and Patricia Singer of Colorado Springs, CO; grandchildren, Keith and Rachael Rensink, Greg and Abby Rensink, Eric Rensink, Cami Hofmeyer, Matthew and Lori Hofmeyer, Ryan and Ann Oloff, Erin and Tan Singh, Pastor Brett and Paige Mackey and Chad and Jen Vink; a sister, Florence Deidiker of Le Mars, IA; 19 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Florence Deidiker of Le Mars, IA; sisters-in-law, Alvira Singer of California, Opal Hanke of Remsen, IA, Lillian Berkenpas of Le Mars, IA and Margaret Ideker of Le Mars, IA; and several nieces and nephews.

Merlin was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Lois on December 4, 2002; a sister Viola (Cleo) Hoffman; brothers, Herb, Elmer (Evelyn), Melvin and Vern; a brother-in-law, Don Deideker.

Memorials in Merlin's name may be directed to Brentwood Good Samaritan Village or Hospice of Siouxland.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Merlin Charles Singer, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.