Merlin Albert Umland

Merlin Albert, son of Albert and Emma (Rostermundt) Umland, was born April 27, 1927 on a farm near Manilla in Crawford County, IA. He attended country schools in Manilla and Manning. When his father became ill Merlin had to quit school and stay home to help on the farm. He also worked for other farmers in the area and at Priebe's Hatchery in Manning. On September 16, 1951, Merlin was united in marriage with Colleen Joy Underwood at the Methodist Church in Manning. Merlin and Joy were the parents of two sons. They farmed near Manning and Audubon until 1973 when they moved to Denison. Merlin worked as the assistant manager for the Denison Street Department. He retired in 1992 and they continued to live in Denison until 2005 when they moved to Manning. They were members of Zion Lutheran Church in Denison and then transferred their membership to Zion Lutheran in Manning. Merlin enjoyed fishing in his spare time. Merlin and Joy were members of the Royal Rovers camping group and, most importantly, they enjoyed dancing throughout their life together. When Merlin's health began to fail, he entered Manning Regional Healthcare Center where he died late Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at the age of 84 years, 9 months, and 16 days. Merlin is preceded in death by his parents; two sisters Virgene Anderson and her husband Bud Mersman and Viola Christensen Jorgensen and her husband Harold; sister in law Opal and her husband Ross Janes; and brothers in law Robert Wailes and Tom Young. He is survived by his wife of sixty years Joy Umland of Manning; two sons Gary Umland and wife Patty of Audubon and Randy Umland and fiancée Darla Rios of Schleswig; grandchildren: Heather and husband Andy Griffith, Jenny Umland, Chris Bylund, Stephanie Umland, Richard Luckritz and Joshua Rios; four great grandchildren: Alex Merk, Emma Griffith, Jordyn Rios and Devon Rios; brother Willis Umland and wife Thelma of Gray; three sisters LaVerne Wailes of Boone, Betty Young of Audubon and Barb and husband Larry Linn of Atlantic; brother in law Olin Underwood and wife Mary of Hastings, NE; and sister in law Uldeen and husband Harry Lee Cooper of Rockport, MO; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Officiating Reverend Jonathan Conner Music "Peace Like a River" "Jesus Loves Me" "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" Congregation "How Great Thou Art" ~ Pastor Conner "On Eagle's Wings" ~ Carlys Stribe, Organist Casket Bearers Randy Umland Gary Umland Rick Wailes David Umland Josh Rios Chris Bylund Andy Griffith Rick Dammann Honorary Casket Bearers Heather Griffith Stephanie Umland Richard Luckritz