Ronald Richard Merz

HARPER-Ronald Merz, age 80, of Harper, died Wednesday, March 27, 2019, at his home. Ron was born November 22, 1938, near Harper, to Richard and Margaret (Sondag) Merz and graduated from St. Elizabeth High School. He served in the Army Reserves for four years. On August 1, 1975, he married Carolyn Sue McFarlan at the What Cheer United Methodist Church. The couple lived in the Harper community where Ron served as Deputy Sheriff, Deputy Clerk of Court, County Auditor and was a salesman for Fidler and Chambers Company for 28 years, retiring in 2007. He also farmed for 27 years. Ron was a member of Holy Trinity Parish, Knights of Columbus for 10 years, Lions Club several years and served on the St. Elizabeth Parish Council and as Lay Director of Holy Trinity Parish. He enjoyed woodworking. Survivors include his wife: Sue of Harper; two sons: Gregory (Charlene) Merz of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Chris Merz of Waterloo; two daughters: Brooke Schmidt of Des Moines and Cathrine Schmidt of Minneapolis, Minnesota; five grandchildren: Travis Bloomquist, Molly (Jennifer) Merz and Graham Merz, all of Minneapolis, Ben Merz and Matt Merz, both of Waterloo; five great grandchildren: Au...[more]

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n, Haley and Abby Bloomquist, Kaydin and Chloe Berry; five sisters: Jeanette Hammes of Sigourney, Burnita Besser of Lakewood, Colorado, Marlene Hammes of Delta, Rose Mary (Pat) Shannon of Sigourney and Danita Pergeau of Peoria, Illinois; one brother-in-law: Gary (Barb) McFarlan of Altoona; 24 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers-in-law: Floyd Hammes, Jerome Besser, Robert Hammes and Ray Pergeau; two nephews: Timothy and Jeffrey Shannon and father and mother-in-law: K.F. and Juanita McFarlan. Memorial mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 1, 2019, at Holy Trinity Parish - St. Mary Catholic Church in Keota, with Rev. Charles Fladung officiating. Burial will be at a later date at Holy Trinity Cemeteries - St. Elizabeth Cemetery in Harper. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 31, 2019, at the church, where there will be a wake service at 5:00. A general memorial has been established. Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Keota is caring for Ron and his family. Tributes may be made at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.