Funeral Service for Merlin Schroeder of Manning, Iowa was held Saturday, June 11, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. at Ohde Funeral Home in Manning, Iowa. Reverend Daniel Vogel of Zion Lutheran Church in Manning officiated. Heidi Allen was vocalist and Francis Haack was organist. Casketbearers were Dave Rauch, Dave Rohe, Lowell Schroeder, Lyle Karsten, Robert Haack, and Brian Schroeder. Interment was in the Manning Cemetery, Manning, Iowa.

Merlin Herman, son of Herman and Amelia (Rowedder) Schroeder, was born June 4, 1918, at Manning, Iowa. He attended country school near his home. Merlin's father died when he was 10 years old and he was sent to live with various aunts and uncles including Albert Joens who taught him the fundaments of farming. Merlin then worked as a farm had for several years.

On September 6, 1940, Merlin was united in marriage with Florence Karsten at Manning. Two sons were born to this union. They made their home in the Manning area and eventually settled in town. In 1944 he began working for Priebe & Sons. Merlin and Florence later owned a feed store and Merlin drove for the Manning Creamery for several years. After his retirement in 1983 Merlin assisted Dave Rohe in his service station and Merlin Rohe in his feed business.

On Wednesday, June 8, 2005, Merlin died at Manning Regional Healthcare Center in Manning, Iowa, following a brief illness. He was 87 years and 4 days of age.

Merlin was preceded in death by his parents, a son Ron Schroeder, a brother and sister in infancy, two brothers Lewis and Norman Schroeder and nephew Gary Schroeder.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years Florence Schroeder of Manning; a son Keith Schroeder and wife Judy of Elk Horn; daughter-in-law Ruth Ann Schroeder of West Des Moines; grandchildren Elizabeth and husband Randy Watkins of Galveston, Texas; and Brian Schroeder of Albuquerque, New Mexico; a brother Kenneth Schroeder of Huron, South Dakota; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.