Merle Waagmeester

Rock Rapids, IA Merle Waagmeester, age 77 of Rock Rapids, IA died December 25th at Lyon Manor Nursing & Rehab Center in Rock Rapids. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, December 28th at the United Methodist Church in Rock Rapids with Rev. Anita Bane, officiating. Burial will follow in the Riverview Cemetery at Rock Rapids. Visitation will be Thursday from 2:00 " 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 6:00 " 8:00 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids. Merle Ivan Waagmeester was born to Leona (Nicloy) Waagmeester and Cornelius Waagmeester on September 12, 1930, at Granite, in Lyon County, Iowa. He attended school at Larchwood, Iowa and graduated from high school there in 1949. Following high school, Merle was employed as a parts clerk for Sebasta Implement Company of Larchwood, Iowa from 1949 until 1951. In 1951, Merle entered the U.S. Army. He served during the Korean Conflict. Merle married Shirley Messner on June 24, 1950. Following their marriage, while Merle was in the U.S. Army, they were stationed at Manhattan, Kansas and Pacific Grove, California. After Merle completed his military service, they moved to Rock Rapids, Iowa. Merle, along with his brother, Gordon, owned and operated the Mobile gas station in Rock Rapids from January 1953 until February 1959. Merle then began employment at Rock Rapids State Bank where he worked until 1965. In January 1965, Merle purchased the Herman Haack Insurance Agency. Merle operated that business as Waagmeester Insurance Agency until 1993, when he sold the business to his son, Gary and daughter-in-law, Yvette Waagmeester. Gary and Yvette continue to operate the insurance agency today. Merle also was a school bus driver for Central Lyon Community Schools from 1965-1972. Merle was a member of the American Legion for 50 years and a member of the Rock Rapids Kiwanis Club for more than 20 years. Merle served as Lt. Governor for Kiwanis in 1985-86. Merle enjoyed fishing, boating and spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Shirley of Rock Rapids, Iowa and four children: Randy and his wife Kim, of Rock Rapids, Iowa; Terry and his wife, Vickie of Lakeville, Minnesota; Gary and his wife, Yvette of Rock Rapids, Iowa; and his daughter, Cindy and her husband, Kevin Trager of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and seven grandchildren; two step grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. He is also survived by his brother, Robert Waagmeester of Dell Rapids, South Dakota; his sister, Beverly and her husband, Wayne Wilke of Lester, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Gordon Waagmeester. Memorials may be directed in memory of Merle Waagmeester to: Huntington's Disease Society of America, Sioux Valley Chapter, P.O. Box 2675, Sioux Falls, SD 57101