Merlin Sievers


Merlin B. Sievers

Visitation Ohde Funeral Home, Coon Rapids Friday, March 13, 2020 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM Coon Rapids, Iowa
Visitation will resume at 9:30 AM on Saturday at the church.
Funeral Service Saturday, March 14, 2020 ~ 10:30 AM First United Methodist Church, Coon Rapids
Officiating Reverend Joyce Webb
Music "The Old Rugged Cross" "In The Garden" Congregation
"How Great Thou Art" "I'll Fly Away"
John Richardson, Vocalist
Lula Garnes, Organist
Casket Bearers Eric Sievers, Todd Sievers, Adam Sievers, Ben Sievers, Matt Taylor, Tyler Hagan
Honorary Casket Bearers Thomas Sievers, Joseph Sievers, Michael Hagan, Scott Taylor, Amy Sievers
Interment with Military Honors
Coon Rapids Gurney Parker Post 357
U.S. Army Honor Guard
Orange Township Cemetery, Coon Rapids


Merlin Barnette, son of Herman Peter and Mary Esther (Barnes) Sievers, was born June 4, 1926, in Manning, Iowa. He attended school at Manning from Kindergarten through Second grade (1932-35). He grew up in Guthrie County near Coon Rapids and attended school near his home.

From December of 1950 to November of 1951, Merlin served with the U.S. Army. He earned the rank of Corporal and was a welder in an engineer construction battalion. Merlin served 14 months in Korea and received the Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, United Nations Service Medal, and Meritorious Unit Commendation.

On February 2, 1954, Merlin was united in marriage with Claribel Olesen at the First Christian Church in Coon Rapids. Four children were born to this union. Merlin and Claribel farmed south of Coon Rapids.

Merlin was a member of the First Christian Church where he served as Deacon and Elder. For four years, 1969-1972, he was a member and president of the Coon Rapids School Board. He was also a member of the American Legion. Merlin enjoyed being outdoors - hunting, fishing and farming. He trained greyhounds and had many other dogs. Above all, Merlin enjoyed caring for his family, helping his neighbors, and farming. In June 2015, Merlin became a resident of the Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids, Iowa after being diagnosed in 2006 with Parkinson's disease. On March 3, 2020, he was diagnosed with influenza A, which he never fully recovered from. He died on Monday, March 9, 2020, at Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids, Iowa. He was 93 years, 9 months, and 5 days of age.

Merlin was preceded in death by his parents, a grandson Ryan Hagan, two sisters Beatrice (Leonard) Knudsen, Ila (Nels) Knudsen, a brother Lyle (Shirley) Sievers and Claribel's siblings: Harry (Evelyn) Olesen, Jr., Howard (Helen) Olesen, Naomi (Ernest) Golay, Earl (Jessie) Olesen, Ramona (Charles) Richardson, William (Barb) Olesen, Robert (Jerri) Olesen, Jens Olesen, and brothers-in-laws Ronald Patrick and Howard Herron.

He is survived by his wife Claribel Sievers of Coon Rapids; four children: Thomas (Debbie) Sievers of Coon Rapids; Cindy (Michael) Hagan of Carroll; Nancy (Scott) Taylor of Estherville; Joseph (Lisa) Sievers of Taos, New Mexico; six grandchildren; Eric (Amanda) Sievers of Norwalk; Todd Sievers of Norwalk; Adam Sievers of Audubon; Tyler Hagan of Coon Rapids; Matthew (Cassandra) Taylor of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Benjamin (Sarah) Sievers of Gardner, Kansas; and Amy Sievers of Taos, New Mexico; five great-grandchildren: Taylor Howard, Natalie and Emily Sievers of Norwalk and Thomas and Lucas Sievers of Gardner Kansas; his in-laws Eunice Herron of Coon Rapids; Joan Strautman (James, Sr.) of Carroll; Max (Karen) Olesen of Coon Rapids; Maryann Olson of Vail; and by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.