Merle "Otis" Broesder

Sibley, IA        Merle “Otis” Broesder, age 63 of Sibley, IA died on Monday, June 27, 2016, from a car accident.        Memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 1st at the Salem Reformed Church in Little Rock, IA, with Pastor Dustin Sperlich officiating.          Visitation will be Friday, July 1st one hour prior to the service at the Salem Reformed Church in Little Rock.        Merle Alvin “Otis” Broesder was born September 30, 1952 in Rock Rapids to Alvin Paul and Dolores (Behrens) Broesder. He was raised in the Little Rock area and graduated from high school in 1970 and NCC in 1972. His first marriage was to Jan Vis, to this union a son, Paul was born. Merle later married Jackie Gilgen at the United Church of Christ Church in Sibley, IA on February 14, 1987 and later Amanda was born. The couple made their home in Sibley. Merle was a machinist and worked at Sudenga industries in George, IA. He had previously worked at ROK, Smith Trucking and Harris Mulder. He enjoyed collecting toy tractors, going to auctions, casinos and the corn show, and spending time with family and friends.   The past two years his passion was spending time with his granddaughter, Hazel.        Merle is survived by his wife of 29 years, Jackie Broesder; eight children: daughter, Amanda Broesder and Adam Tripplet and their daughter, Hazel of Little Rock; son, Paul Broesder and Samantha Carlson of Little Rock; John Gilgen and Sonja Jurrens of Little Rock; James Gilgen and Tara Winter of Little Rock; Richard Gilgen and Lori White of Little Rock; Merry and Paul Close of Minneapolis, MN; Amy and Dave Thiesse of Vermillion, SD; April and Dale Johnston of Montrose, SD; and grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister, Marlette and Earl Janshen of Barrett, MN; sister-in-law: Sharol Broesder of Little Rock, IA; two nephews and four nieces; uncle, Ben Heeren of Little Rock, IA; aunt, Ann and Gordy Larson Mission, TX; cousins, Florene and Jeff Theis of Carver, MN and Luanne Heeren of Worthington, MN; LaRaye and Mitch Wright of Broken Arrow, OK and LeRoy Broesder Jr.; and many other extended family.        He was preceded in death by his parents; Alvin and Delores Broesder; brother, Verlyn Broesder; aunt, Fern Heeren; and uncle, Leroy Broesder.