In Memory of Merle D. Rupert

Merle Dean Rupert, age 84, of Ida Grove, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, June 1, 2017, at his residence of Ida Grove, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at the First United Methodist Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. Pastor Chad Lierman will officiate. Committal Services following in the Ida Grove Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa, with Military Rites conducted by the McNamara-Moore Post No. 61 of the American Legion.  A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, June 5, 2017 at the Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Christensen - Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements.

Condolences may be sent online at

www.christensenvanhouten.com

Merle Dean Rupert, the son of Leonard and Verona (Sindt) Rupert was born in Logan Township, Iowa, on December 2, 1932. Merle grew up on the family farm and attended country school. He graduated with the class of 1951 from Ida Grove High School.

In 1952, Merle enlisted with the United States Army. He was stationed overseas in France and Germany during the Korean Conflict as part of the Core of Engineers. He was honorably discharged in 1954 and returned back to Logan Township. Merle enjoyed working with the land and feeding livestock. When he arrived back home he started farming his grandfathers farm; which was located right across the road from his parents farm.

Merle married JoAnn Bohlmann in November of 1955, in the Lutheran Church of Rickets, Iowa. To this union two children were born Jodean and Roderick “Rowdy”. The couple would later part ways. On December 3, 1966, Merle married Janice Jepsen in the First United Methodist Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. Merle welcomed a daughter Linda and Merle and Janice were blessed with a son Raymond. The family lived on a farmed south of Ida Grove, Iowa. He officially retired from farming 2007,”but you can take a farmer to town, but cannot take the farmer out of him.” Merle enjoyed planting a small garden each year which he now leaves to his wife to tend too.

Merle had a passion for the great outdoors. He enjoyed teaching his children and grandchildren how to hunt and fish. Merle also liked to go ballroom dancing, bowling on Tuesday night men’s league, taking trips to such places as Alaska, Hawaii, Italy, Austria and the Panama Cannel just to name a few. Merle treasured his time with his family and will fondly be remembered for his sense of humor, kind smile, and the stories that he told.

Merle was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. He belonged to the McNamara-Moore Post No. 61 of the American Legion of Ida Grove, The American Bowling Association, and the VFW.

Merle was preceded in death by his parents; son Raymond Rupert; sister Carol Ridlen; and two brothers in infancy.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 50 years Janice Rupert of Ida Grove, IA; children Jodean Groesbeck of Yukon, OK, Roderick “Rowdy” and wife Stacey Rupert of Parkers Prairie, MN, and Linda and husband Perry Kuhl of Tea, SD; fourteen grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren; brothers Curtis and wife Nancy Rupert of Holstein, IA and Craig and wife Jan Rupert of Ida Grove, Iowa; brother-in-law Mason Ridlen; and nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

The family of Merle would like to express a heartfelt thanks to the hospice staff of Horn Memorial Hospice for your care and compassion in Merles final days.