Merlyn Robert Heimdal

FOREST CITY - Merlyn Heimdal, 77, of Forest City died Wednesday (November 23, 2011) at the Lake Mills Care Center. He is now worshiping at the feet of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Funeral services will be held at 10 A.M. Friday, December 2nd at Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church in rural Joice, Iowa, with Pastor Kevin Olson officiating. Burial will be in Bethel Lutheran Brethren Cemetery in rural Joice, Iowa.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 P.M. on Thursday, December 1st at Petersen Lund Funeral Home, 505 N. Clark Street in Forest City and will continue one hour prior to services at church.


Merlyn Robert Hoff Heimdal was born on May 20, 1934 to George and Mabel Slattum Hoff in Mason City, Ia. Due to his mother losing her sight, when he was 10 months old, he was raised by Annie Tweed Heimdal, Joice, Ia and later adopted by Almer and Clara Heimdal, Joice, Ia. He graduated from Joice High School in 1952. He served in the army from 1956-1958, stationed in Germany.

On November 28, 1960, Merlyn was united in marriage to Marilyn Witham of Lake Mills. To this union were born 5 daughters; Teresa, Tanya, (twins) Valerie and Victoria and Natalie. The couple farmed S. W. of Joice for 15 years. They moved to Forest City in 1976. They divorced in 1980 and remarried on Febuary 12, 2011.

Merlyn is survived by his wife, Marilyn, daughters, Teresa (Bill) Clausen, Mason City, Ia., Tanya (Dale) Borg, Forest City, Ia, Valarie (Craig) Swalve, Garner, Ia., Victoria (Randy) Hopp, Kansas City, Mo., Natalie (Jerry) Black, Chandler, Az., 10 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, brother Bernard Hoff, Belmond, Ia., and father and mother-in-law, Robert and Myrtle Witham, Lake Mills, Ia.

Merlyn was preceded in death by his parents and adoptive parents, one sister, Violet and one brother, Dick.


Memorials may be directed to the Merlyn Heimdal Memorial Fund, c/o Marilyn Heimdal, 115 Sunland Way, Forest City, Ia. 50436, to be distributed to Merlyn's preferred charities.