Merlin D. Olbertz

Merlin D. Olbertz was born in Denison, Iowa, November 16, 1933, the son of Frank Herman and Mabel Hertha Pithan Olbertz. He was received into God?s Kingdom of Grace through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism in December of 1933 at St. John?s Lutheran Church, Stockholm Township, and confirmed in his Christian Faith in May of 1948 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Spirit Lake, Iowa. The family moved to a farm near Arnolds Park, Iowa, and Merlin graduated in 1951 from the Arnolds Park Consolidated School. Following graduation he moved to Omaha, Nebraska, and attended a Business College. From June of 1956 until his discharge in May of 1958, Merlin served his country in the United States Army serving in Korea. On April 7, 1956, Merlin was united in marriage with Flora Belle Yvonne Skarin at the Zion Lutheran Church in Denison, Iowa. Their union was blessed with two children, David and Jill. They made their home in Omaha, Nebraska, where Merlin was employed as a Programmer Analyst with Mutual of Omaha for twenty-four years. In 1979 they moved to Denison where Merlin was employed as a Property Specialist with the Job Corps of Denison for twenty years, retiring in 1992. During his retirement years he drove for Glen Lewis Limo and Taxi Service in Denison. In his spare time he enjoyed playing cards and spending time on his computer. He was always willing to lend a helping hand and was happiest when he was spending time with his family. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Denison and, while residing in Omaha, Merlin was an active member of Pacific Hills Lutheran Church where he served as Sunday School Superintendent and was a Sunday School Teacher. He had served as a Boy Scout Leader, Cub Scout Leader and was a member of the Crime Stoppers of Denison. Surrounded by his loving family, Merlin died Sunday morning, August 23, 2009, at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison, Iowa. At the time of his death he had been blessed with 75 years, 9 months and 7 days. Merlin was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Mabel Olbertz and a brother-in-law, Robert Johnson. Those remaining to cherish his memory include his wife, Flora Olbertz of Denison, one son, David Olbertz of Denison, one daughter, Jill Flynn of Waukee, Iowa, five grandchildren, Derek and Jon Olbertz and Michael Feller of Denison, and Matthew and Jason Flynn of Waukee, Iowa, one great grandson, Kolby James of Denison, one sister, Sandra Johnson of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 26, 2009, at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison, Iowa, with the Rev. Kurt R. Kaiser and the Rev. David M. Sewing officiating. Music for the service was provided by Larry Boeck singing "On Eagles Wings" and the congregation singing "Amazing Grace" and "What A Friend We Have In Jesus". Karen Kahl served as organist. Pallbearers included Derek Olbertz, Jon Olbertz, Michael Feller, Terry Skarin, Robert Johnson, Jr. and Jay Johnson. Interment was at the Kiron Cemetery, Kiron, Iowa. Following the interment the family invited everyone to return to the church and join them in fellowship and a luncheon prepared and served by Zion?s Dorcas Society. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com , in Denison was in charge of arrangements.