Merlin "Merlie" H. Loew

Merlin Loew, 78, of Maple River died early Sunday morning, December 22, 2013 at his home, surrounded by his family. Mass of the Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, December 24, 2013 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Carroll. The Celebrant will be Fr. Timothy Johnson. Mass Servers will be: Ray Boeckman, Jim Derner and Larry Loew. Music for the mass will be by Barb McDermott and the Holy Spirit Choir. Lector for the funeral mass will be Shelly Loew. Gift Bearers will be: Lollie Derner, Katie Hoffman, and Aggie Snyder. Eucharistic Ministers will be Ann Popp and Kris Feld. Honorary Casket Bearers will be: Rick Bruning, Darrell Schaeuble, Becky Loew, Lou Ann Loew, Shawn Popp, Kelly Loew, Shelly Loew, and Emily Loew. Casket Bearers will be: Deb Bruning, Cindy Schaeuble, Jeff Loew, Brenda Wiederin, Richie Loew, Don Loew, Ann Popp, Dean Loew, Neal Loew, Jr. Loew, Mike Loew, and Rob Loew. Merlie’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren will form an honor guard for the funeral mass. Burial will be in St. Francis Cemetery at Maple River. Friends may call at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll after 4:30 p.m. on Monday where there will be a rosary at 5 p.m. and a Christian Wake Service at 7 p.m. by Holy Spirit Parish. The casket will be moved to Holy Spirit Church at 9 a.m. on Tuesday where visitation will resume until time of the funeral mass. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for Merlie’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com. On January 23, 1935, Merlin and his twin sister, Marion, were born to Steven and Florence (Hermsen) Loew of Carroll, IA. Merlie attended St. Francis School and Carroll High School. He helped his family with their farm and dairy operation later going to work for Chicago Northwestern Railroad until 1968. Merlin was united in marriage to Marie Boeckman on November 23, 1957 at Wall Lake, Iowa. He returned to farming and raising livestock in the Maple River area and also owned and operated Merlie’s place in Carroll. Merlie’s passion was laying carpet; he owned Loew’s Carpet and passed the trade down to his family. Overall Merlie just loved life; fishing, playing cards, singing, and attending exotic animal sales. His greatest joy in life though was his entire family who were by his side when he passed away Sunday morning at the age of 78. Merlie was a member of Holy Spirit Parish in Carroll. Merlie is survived by: his wife Marie Loew of Maple River; his children: Deb (Rick) Bruning of Breda, Cindy (Darrell) Schaeuble of Kansas City, MO, Jeff (Becky) Loew of Storm Lake, Brenda Wiederin of Algona, Richie (Lou Ann) Loew of Grimes, Don Loew of Carroll, Ann (Shawn) Popp of Adel, Dean Loew of Carroll, Neal (Kelly) Loew of Indianola, Jr. (Shelly) Loew of Carroll, Mike (Emily) Loew of Carroll and Rob Loew of Carroll; 40 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; his siblings: Twin Sister, Marion (Roland) Daniel of Carroll, Larry (Mary Jane) Loew of Maple River, Katie Hoffman of Carroll, Lollie (Jim) Derner of Sac City, Aggie (Bob) Snyder of Des Moines, Steve (Deb) Loew of Des Moines; as well as other relatives and many friends. Merlie was preceded in death by his parents; his grandsons: Matthew Loew and Jason Bruning; his sister, Ethel Mae Davis; his brothers: Denny, Clancy, and Joe Loew.

Merlin "Merlie" H. Loew

January 23, 1935 - December 22, 2013