Merlin A. Reicks, age 73, of Cresco, IA, died on December 24, 2007 at Regional Health Services Hospital in Cresco, IA, of natural causes.
Merlin Albert Reicks was born November 27, 1934 at Cresco, Iowa, the son of Albert and Louise (Scholbrock) Reicks. He attended school in Cresco and following his education, he went to work for Rath Packing in Waterloo. In 1956, he entered the U.S. Army and drove with the convoy to Alaska for a tour. He lived in the Artic for a month on ski patrol. Following his return from the service, he returned to Rath then in 1957, he started farming near Granger and in 1963, he bought his present farm, where they still lived and farmed. Recently he worked for the Harmony Greenhouse.
On April 7, 1958 he was united in marriage to Margaret Chihak in the Our Lady or Lourdes Catholic Church at Lourdes, IA. They were blessed with four children: Bridget, Ellen, Maureen and Charles.
Merlin was a member of the American Legion and was a Board Member for United Shippers. He enjoyed traveling, especially Nashville, Tennessee. For the last number of years, Merlin and Margaret spent a few weeks a year in Texas. He liked to listen to polka music, especially when he was milking the cows. He collected John Deere tractors. Merlin especially enjoyed being with family and socializing with friends.
Survivors include his wife: Margaret, three daughters: Bridget Reicks of Calmar, IA, Ellen (John) Whalen of Harmony, MN and Maureen (Kurt) Moellers of Ridgeway, IA; one son, Charles (Joanne) of Cresco, IA; ten grandchildren: Aaron Kulish, Kristen, Jeffrey, Eric, and Liza Whalen, Justin, Derek, Travis, and Trina Moellers, and Kyrah Reicks; one brother: Virgil (Rose) Reicks of Harmony, MN; and two sisters: Darlene (James) Vsetecka of Alta Vista, IA; and Luverne Loftus of Dodge Center, MN.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters: Shirley Martinek and Elizabeth Ferrie.
Merlin A. Reicks, age 73, of Cresco, IA, died on December 24, 2007 at Regional Health Services Hospital in Cresco, IA, of natural causes.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 27, 2007 at the Notre Dame Church in Cresco, with burial in the Calvary Cemetery in Cresco, IA. Visitation will be held at the Conway Funeral Home on Wednesday from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. and one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday. There will be a 7:00 p.m. scripture service on Wednesday.