Merlin E. Nissen


Merlin & Arlene (Jurgensen) Nissen August 1942

Arlene traveled with Merlin during his tour of duty during WW II and worked at the Veteran's Memorial Administration Offices. Following WWII they made their home in Denison, Iowa.

Manning Monitor article------ 1943

Merlin Nissen, Sharpshooter Pfc.
Merlin E. Nissen, formerly of Manning, son of E. C. Nissen, is now stationed at Camp Beale, California.
He has qualified as Sharp-shooter with the U. S. Carbine Rifle, with a score of 165.

In Memory of MERLIN E. NISSEN

Services 1:30 P.M. Thursday, January 15, 1976 Zion Lutheran Church Denison, Iowa
Military Services American Legion Post No. 8 Denison
Minister Officiating Pastor Robert Maschke
Music Mrs. Robert Maschke, Organist
Robert Arnold, Soloist Rock of Ages, Heaven Is My Home
Congregation For All The Saints Who From Their Labors Rest
Bearers: Ed Brosnahan, Al Lechtenberg, Robert Carritt, Rowland Petersen, Steve Koester, Larry Wiebers
Interment Crawford Heights Memory Gardens

Merlin Ernest Nissen, son of Ernest C. Nissen and Bertha (Ohde) Nissen, was born February 16, 1915, near Manilla and died January 12, 1976, at Crawford County Memorial Hospital, Denison, at the age of 60 years, 10 months, and 27 days.

Baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith, Mr. Nissen was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church. He attended school in Manning, graduating from Manning High School in 1933.

On June 6, 1942, Merlin entered the U.S. Army serving in World War II until his discharge January 16, 1946.

Mr. Nissen was united in marriage August 26, 1943, to Arlene Pauline Jurgensen of Manning. They made their home in Denison where Mr. Nissen was self-employed as a contractor and builder for 28 years. During this time their union was blessed with three children.

Mr. Nissen was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Ernest John, who lost his life in World War II.

Survivors include his wife, Arlene, one son, Curtis, of Biloxi, Mississippi; two daughters, Candis (Mrs. Daniel Keat) of Des Moines; and Cara, a student at Iowa State; one sister, Grechen Jane "Betty" (Mrs. Leland Cobb) of Rockford, Illinois; nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Military funeral services were held Thursday, January 15, 1976, at 1:30 P.M. at Zion Lutheran Church, Denison, with Pastor Robert Maschke officiating.

Mrs. Robert Maschke served as organist and Robert Arnold as soloist. Hymns of praise were "For All The Saints Who From Their Labors Rest" "Rock of Ages" and "Heaven Is My Home."

Pallbearers were Steve Koester, Robert Carritt, Al Lechtenberg, Rowland Petersen, Larry Wiebers, and Ed Brosnahan.

Interment was made in the Crawford Heights Memory Gardens, Denison, with Huebner Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.