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Mr. Merlin Echtenkamp

June 20, 1931 - August 19, 2015

Merlin Echtenkamp, 84, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Wednesday, August 19, 2015, at Taylor House Hospice.
Merlin was born June 20, 1931 in Randolph, Nebraska to Harry and Caroline Echtenkamp. He spent his childhood in Belden, Nebraska.
On June 16, 1951 he married the love of his life, Beverly Conklin. Merlin proudly served in the Army from 1952-1954, and served for 18 months in Germany. In 2014,Merlin had the privilege of attending the Honor Flight to Washington D.C. with fellow veterans. He worked for Burlington Northern Railroad for 35 years, retiring in 1989.Merlin and Beverly resided in Sioux City where they raised their three children until moving to Ankeny, closer to family, in 2000.
Merlin was always looking for new people to meet and opportunities to help others. He enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s activities, doing home remodeling projects, playing golf with his wife, and playing cards with friends. He proudly became a great-grandfather in 2011. Although he was lovingly called by his nickname “Grumpy” by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, Merlin will be remembered as the sweetest man with the kindest heart.
Merlin was preceded in death by his parents and his older brother, Dale. Merlin is survived by his wife (Bev); his brother, Ronald (Sue) Echtenkamp and sister Darlene Hitchcock; three children, Vicky (John) Wiedemeier of Polk City, Mary Echtenkamp of Ft. Myers, Florida, and Mark (Cecilia) Echtenkamp of Montgomery, Texas; four grandchildren, Sean (Manuela) Wiedemeier, Kelli (Chris) Daly, Kristen (Brandon) Cook, Mathew Echtenkamp; and four great-grandchildren, Dominic and Emma Cook, Grace Daly, and Joao Wiedemeier.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2015, at 1:00 pm at Palestine Lutheran Church in Huxley, Iowa, with a reception following. Cremains will be interred at the Iowa Veterans Cemetary in Van Meter, Iowa.
We love you Grumpy, a bushel and a peck. You will be missed.