Merle L. Muhm

BRITT - Merle L. Muhm, 83, of rural Britt, died Thursday (February 12, 2009) at his home.

Funeral services will be held 1:30 P.M., Monday at Upper Flat Evangelical Free Church north of Britt with Rev. Jason Boomgarden officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Britt with military rites by the Britt Veterans Ceremonial Unit.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 P.M., Sunday at the Cataldo Funeral Home, 178 1st Ave. S.W., Britt and will continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Memorials may be directed to Upper Flat Evangelical Free Church or the American Diabetes Association.

Merle LeRoy Muhm, the son of Fred and Claire (Hartwig) Muhm, was born January 13, 1926, on a farm west of Kanawha. He attended country school near his home and graduated from Kanawha High School in 1943. On August 26, 1950, he married Lola K. Madson at her parent's home north of Britt. Merle served his country during the Korean conflict as a corporal in the U.S. Army. Following his discharge, he returned home and farmed north of Britt. Along with farming, Merle had worked at Marting Manufacturing, Winnebago Industries, North Iowa Grain, and North Iowa Feed & Supply. Merle enjoyed his family, water skiing, reading Western books, taking care of his livestock, antique tractor rides, and fishing trips to Thunder Bay, Canada.

He was a member of Upper Flat Evangelical Free Church and the Britt American Legion.

Merle is survived by his children, Kevin (Patti) Muhm of LeMars, Paulette (Kevin) Westerberg of West Frankfurt, IL, Brad (Sonja) Muhm of Miller and Brian Muhm of Janesville, WI; four grandchildren, Jill(Randy) Lindhorst, Tony Muhm, Eric Muhm and John Westerberg; three great-grandchildren, Dana Westerberg, Adonis Westerberg and Kendall Lindhorst; a sister, Pat Eggers of Sparta, WI; two brothers, Bob (Janet) Muhm of Cherry Hill, NJ and John (Joyce) Muhm of Bourbannais, IL; two sisters-in-law, Kay (Ben) Benjamin of Coppell, TX and Joann Muhm of West Des Moines; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lola, Dec. 25, 2006; parents; sister, Carole Cassel; and two brothers, Ralph and Don Muhm.