The funeral Service for Merlin Umland, age 84, was held Monday, February 27, 2012, 10:30 AM at Zion Lutheran Church, Manning, Iowa with Reverend Jonathan Conner officiating.
Music for the ceremony included “Peace Like a River”, “Jesus Loves Me”, “I Know That My Redeemer Lives” sung by the congregation and “How Great Thou Art” with Pastor Conner as vocalist. A musical interlude of “On Eagle’s Wings” was played by Carlys Stribe, organist.
Casket Bearers included Randy Umland, Gary Umland, Rick Wailes, David Umland, Josh Rios, Chris Bylund, Andy Griffith and Rick Dammann.
Honorary Casket Bearers were Heather Griffith, Stephanie Umland and Richard Luckritz. Interment was in Manning Cemetery, Manning, Iowa. Arrangements were entrusted to Ohde Funeral Home.

Merlin Albert, son of Albert and Emma (Rostermundt) Umland, was born April 27, 1927, on a farm near Manilla in Crawford County. 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 was 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 fiancee 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, Nebraska; and sister in law Uldeen and husband Harry Lee Cooper of Rockport, Missouri; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.