In 1965 Merlin was drafted into the United States Army and served during the Vietnam Conflict. He was honorably discharged in 1967.

Merlin was a member of the Manning American Legion Emil Ewoldt Post 22.

Visitation Friday October 28, 2016, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Trinity Church at Hausbarn Heritage Park, Manning
Funeral Service Saturday October 29, 2016, 10:00 AM at Trinity Church at Hausbarn Heritage Park, Manning
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 will follow the service at the Manning Cemetery 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.

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 Coop. 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 Coop.

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. 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, Washington, and Amanda (Jacob) Lasher of Carroll; brothers Alerd (Judy) Borkowski of Denver, Colorado, Kermit Borkowski of Dexter and Lorrell (Judy) Borkowski of Harlan; sisters Irma (Gary) Tate of Chicago, Illinois and Ruth (Rocky) Kovacevic of Bolivia, South America, and other relatives and friends.