July 17, 1935 - November 17 2023
A Funeral Mass for Merlin Studer, 88, of Wesley was held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023, at Divine Mercy Parish - St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wesley. Visitation was 4-6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 21 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wesley. Burial was held at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Wesley. Military rites were conducted by Andrew Post #428.
Merlin Robert Studer was born July 17, 1935, in Algona, to Herman and Maude (Glawe) Studer. He started school in Corwith then in 1942, moved to Wesley and graduated from Wesley High School in 1954.
After graduation Merlin worked for Sande Construction. He then was enlisted in the United States Army and served in Korea and Japan. After the service Merlin worked for Robinson Construction out of Algona. In 1958, he started working for Farmers Co-op in Wesley before starting to farm in Britt in 1960.
On Feb. 6, 1960, Merlin married Mary Jo Buscher at St. Cecelia Catholic Church in Algona. To this union six children were born. They moved to the family dairy farm near Wesley in 1963, where they raised their children. Merlin loved working on the dairy farm. He served on the Dairy Board of Directors and the Midwest Dairy Board for 12 years. He was also honored to be on the Kossuth County Election Board for many years, and the Wesley City Council.
When Merlin had downtime, he enjoyed playing golf, card games, softball and traveling. He was an avid fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes and the New York Yankees. He loved to spend time with his family and watch the grandchildren in activities. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wesley.
Merlin died at Kossuth Regional Health Center in Algona surrounded by his family on Friday, Nov. 17. He was 88.
Merlin is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Jo Studer, of Wesley; seven children, Robert Studer of Perry, Renita (Larry) Brown of West Bend, Susan (Robert) Ringsdorf of Davenport, Andrew Studer of Wesley, Janet Aaron of Houston, Texas, John (Heather) Studer of West Bend and Michael Crowley of Humboldt; 24 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; siblings, Chuck (Maxine) Studer of Britt, and Kerm (Judy) Studer of Clear Lake; two cousins that are like sisters, Eunice Hatel of Albert Lea, Minn. and Connie Tufte of Albert Lea, Minn.; and many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Leonard Studer, Eugene Studer and Donovan Studer; grandson, Joshua Ringsdorf; and great-grandson, Ayden Shackelford.
Online condolences may be sent to oakcrestfuneralservices.com