In loving memory of

Merle Richard Eggers
July 14, 1930 - April 21, 2015

Merle was born July 14, 1930 in State Center, Iowa to Ervin and Marie Eggers. He grew up on a farm north of Colo, Iowa and attended Colo High School. He served in the U.S. Army in Korea. He married Norma Lillard in 1955 and raised four children.
Early in his life he worked for Hunziker and Furman, Guetknect Go-Carts, Todd and Sargent, and as a self-employed building contractor, chain-link fence installer, and sod farmer. Later on he was a farm/ag business salesman. He and Norma also had a catering business for many years where people would enjoy his famous bbq pork, having won many awards at the Iowa State Fair's Farm Bureau Cookout King Contest. Besides his love of cooking, he enjoyed racing go-carts, hunting deer, fishing in Canada's Lake of the Woods, trap and skeet shooting, attaining his private pilot's license, vegetable gardening, and playing cards.
He was a member of the American Legion, 40 & 8, Elk's Lodge, Isaac Walton League, and Iowa Turf Grass Growers Association. His love for life was second only to the love for the people around him. No one was ever a stranger in his eyes. He was always there to help and asked nothing in return. One of the really true good guys of this day.
Even with the great care he received at Bethany Manor in Story City, Alzheimer's overcame him and he passed away the morning of April 21st. He is survived by his wife Norma (Lillard), his children Doug (LeAnn) Eggers, Erin Hornung, Shawn Eggers, and Kerri (Kevin) Peterson, all of Ames; also three grandchildren, Nathan and Nicholas Eggers and Jacob Peterson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ervin and Marie; two brothers, Vernon Eggers and Elmer Eggers; and one grand-daughter, Joelle Peterson.
A military memorial will be held at the Eggers farm (174 - E. 190th) on Monday, April 27th at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will be held immediately afterwards.

Tributes

Robert Barhite wrote on Apr 30, 2015:

"I am so sorry for your loss, Erin."

JOAN CRAIG wrote on Apr 25, 2015:

" SORRY TO LEARN OF MERLE,S PASSNG. WILL MISS HIS AND NORMA'S CATERING SEVICE, GOOD TO READ OF OTHERS LEAVING A COMMENT. "

KAREN MCCURDY wrote on Apr 24, 2015:

"AS FAR BACK AS I CAN REMEMBER I CAN ALWAYS SEE UNCLE MERLE AS A VERY "FUNNY" MAN. ALWAYS MAKING US LAUGH... VERY GOOD-HEARTED AND GOOD-NATURED. I DON'T THINK I EVER SAW HIM MAD. ALWAYS ENJOYED HIS FAMILY VISITS. HE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED BY ALL. PRAYERS FOR THE FAMILY IN THIS TIME OF NEED."

Terry (Gealow) Dirks wrote on Apr 23, 2015:

"Merle was always there for anyone who needed help. I will be forever thankful for his help at our wedding. Prayers for the family."

Marti Huhn Hatchett wrote on Apr 23, 2015:

"Merle was always smiling and having a laugh. I have known him it seems like forever. I babysat ALL of his children and enjoyed knowing Merle and Norma. My thoughts and prayers are with Norma and the children. RIP Merle"

Carla Holbook wrote on Apr 23, 2015:

"I remember helping at the cook-outs/catering. He was a very nice man!"

Kerin Overturf wrote on Apr 22, 2015:

"Merle was a great guy, always had a smile and a laugh for you. Thinking of you all."