Merlin Borkowski

   Merlin Robert, son of Albert and Anna (Bald) Borkowski, was born October 15, 1941 in Audubon County, Iowa.  He attended rural school in Gray and then graduated from Manning High School in 1960. 

    After high school Merlin worked at the Aspinwall Co-op. In 1965 he was drafted into the United States Army and served during the Vietnam Conflict.  Merlin was honorably discharged in 1967.  When he returned, he continued to work for the Co-op. 

    On April 20, 1968 Merlin was united in marriage with Jean Meyers at Trinity Lutheran Church, Audubon County, Iowa.  From this union four children were born. They lived in Manning for 10 years until they moved to the family farm in 1980. Merlin and Jean started farming south of Manning, where he farmed and milked cows for many years.  While he also worked for Rasmussen Ready-Mix and then American Concrete as a truck driver.  Merlin retired in 2011.

     He was a member of Trinity Church in Audubon County and then transferred to Zion Lutheran Church. Merlin was also a member of the American Legion.  Merlin enjoyed gardening and playing cards but most of all he loved to be on his four-wheeler looking over the farm. 

     On Monday, October 24, 2016 Merlin died after an accident on his four-wheeler while checking on his beans.  He died at Manning Regional Hospital at the age of 75 years and 9 days.

     Preceding him in death are his parents Albert and Anna; parents-in-law Carl and Irene Meyers and sister-in-law Phyllis Borkowski.

    Merlin is survived by his wife Jean Borkowski of Manning; children Robin (Lisa) Borkowski of Manning, Ryan Borkowski of Manning, Rodney (Katie) Borkowski of Carroll and Shauna Borkowski (Steven Long) of Coon Rapids; grandchildren Robert Borkowski of Seattle, WA and Amanda (Jacob) Lasher of Carroll; brothers Alerd (Judy) Borkowski of Denver, CO, Kermit Borkowski of Dexter and Lorrell (Judy) Borkowski of Harlan; sisters Irma (Gary) Tate of Chicago, IL and Ruth (Rocky) Kovacevic of Bolivia, South America and other relatives and friends.

Reverend Robert Riggert, Officiant   Music “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”    Congregation “Rock Of Ages”    Sheila And Shauna Reitan, Duet “Amazing Grace”    Congregation Irene Feilmeier, Accompanist   Casket Bearers Jim Herbers   Joe Herbers   Marty Kerkhoff Dan Kerkhoff   Jacob Lasher   Dan Thielen

  Honorary Casket Bearers ~ Merlin’s Siblings
Kermit Borkowski   Alerd Borkowski   Lorrell Borkowski Irma Tate   Ruth Kovacevic

  Interment with Military Honors Manning Cemetery, Manning, Iowa Iowa Army National Guard American Legion Emil Ewoldt Post 22 Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 3517   THE FAMILY WISHES TO EXPRESS THEIR GRATITUDE FOR YOUR KINDNESS,
AND INVITES YOU TO JOIN THEM FOR LUNCH AND FELLOWSHIP AT Zion Lutheran Church FOLLOWING THE COMMITTAL SERVICE.