Merlin R. Vetter, 74
Merlin Ralph Vetter, 74, of Red Oak, passed away Friday, April 22, 2011 at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital.
Merlin was born to Ralph and Louise (Lindner) Vetter on Dec. 24, 1936 in Montgomery County, Iowa, near Grant. He graduated from Griswold High School in l954 and began farming.
Merlin married Janice Swanson, daughter of Harry and Aura Swanson, April 6, 1958, in Red Oak.
Merlin served many years on the board for Noble Township Mutual Insurance and was a longtime member of the Pilot Grove United Methodist Church. Merlin loved farming, working in his shop, refurbishing guns and hand-crafting beautiful wood stocks. He was known as a wonderful neighbor and friend who could fix anything.
Merlin and his late wife, Jan, traveled extensively with their dear friends, Allen and Charlene Hines. They spent many Sunday evenings together planning their next trip or reminiscing about their last one.
Merlin was preceded in death by his parents; his wife on March 25, 2006; and two sisters, Loretta Barr and Maxine Orstad.
Merlin is survived by one daughter, Barb (Mark) Allen of Stanton; two sons, Greg (Lisa) Vetter of Red Oak and Gary (Kris) Vetter of Elliott; eight grandchildren, Brayton (Lindsey) Allen of Stanton, Bryce and Kara Allen of Stanton, Mallie (Steve) Kludt of Sioux Falls, S.D., Mandie (Joshua) Reynolds of Council Bluffs, Sydney Vetter of Sioux Falls, Jacob Vetter and fiancé, Jordan Ecklin, of Atlantic and Jordan Vetter of Elliott; three great-grandchildren, Alexis Kludt, Maven Allen and Ayden Vetter; and sister, Dorothy Gridley of Villisca, along with many other relatives and friends.
Visitation with the family was April 24, at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home in Red Oak. Services were April 25, at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home with Rev. Gordon Scott officiating. Burial was in Evergreen Cemetery in Red Oak. Memorials may be made to your local Fire & Rescue Department in Merlin’s name. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.sldfuneralhome.com.