Merle J Schwickerath
May 18, 1944 ~ July 28, 2019
Merle J. Schwickerath, age 75, of New Hampton, IA passed away on Sunday July 28, 2019 at Mercy Hospice in Johnston, Iowa.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, August 1, 2019 at Holy Family Parish in New Hampton, IA with Father Brian Dellaert celebrating. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in New Hampton. Military rites will be provided by New Hampton American Legion.
Friends may greet the family from 4:00-8:00 PM on Wednesday, July 31, 2019 at Conway-Markham Funeral Home in New Hampton. There will be a 3:45 PM Rosary and 8:00 PM Scriptural Wake Service. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the funeral mass on Thursday. Online condolences for Merle’s family may be left at www.conway-markhamfh.com. Memorials may be directed to the family.
Merle James was born May 18, 1944, the son of Leo and Catherine (Coleman) Schwickerath in New Hampton, IA. He attended and graduated St. Mary’s High School in North Washington. After completing his education he attended Loras College before enlisting in the Army National Guard. Merle received his honorable discharge in 1971 as a Sergeant. On May 6, 1967, Merle was united in marriage to Karen Roths at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New Hampton where the couple made their home. Together they welcomed four children, Shawn, Mona, Terry and Jason. For 47 years, Merle enjoyed working at Vern Laures Auto Center, retiring in June of 2013. After his retirement, Merle and Karen were snow birds in Arizona for three years. He had a passion for photography and playing cards. His greatest joy was his family. Merle was a member of Holy Family Parish, Catholic Order of Foresters, New Hampton American Legion. He served as Parish Council chair at St. Mary’s and Holy Family.
Those left to cherish Merle’s memory are his wife, Karen of New Hampton; his children, Shawn (Patty) Schwickerath of Urbandale, IA, Mona (Dean) Robbins of Grimes, IA and Terry (Angel) Schwickerath of Parkersburg, IA; his grandchildren, Edie, Alex, Carter, Devin, Grace, Claire, Jourdan, Brett and Adam; his siblings, Kathleen Sullivan of Charles City, IA, Donnie (Donna) Schwickerath of New Hampton, and Dorothy Carlin of New Hampton; his in-laws, Marian (Dan) Palmersheim of Marion, IA, Gary (Jeanne) Roths of Blythewood, SC, Bill (Mary) Roths of Cedar Falls, IA, Jim (Barb) Roths of Ankeny, IA and Ann (Jim) Crook of New Hampton and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Jason in infancy; his parents-in-law, LaVern and Mabel Roths; brother, Francis Schwickerath; sister, Marianne Mashek and brothers-in-law Donald Mashek, Donald Sullivan and Mike Carlin.
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Deepest sympathy to Merle’s family.
Dennis and I remember the love and kindness shown within our bible study all those years ago. We will always remember fondly Merle’s gentleman’s nature; the way he had a smile on his face and a hand to shake. Our hearts go out to you and your family. He will be missed.
I know his suffering is done, but I will miss seeing him at church and tending to his yard. One of the best neighbors you could ever have. May his memories console you today and in the days ahead. All our thoughts and prayers to his family. Jeanne and David Roder
Karen & Family, My condolences and prayers at this sad time.
Karen and family you have our sympathy. Prayers are with you. LeRoy and MaryLee
Karen and Family, Our Deepest Sympathy to you at this difficult time of Loss. Prayers and Thoughts are with you! James & Lyn (Bruns) Bailey
Karen and family, Deepest sympathy to you at this time of loss.
Nancy Franzen
Karen and family, you have our deepest sympathy.
Duane and Marlys Hackman
Karen and family. Our heart felt sympathy goes out to you and your family. Larry & Jane Finnegan
Karen,Shawn,Mona,Terry and your families our deep sympathy to you all.
Prayers continue for you all. May the peace of God help you in this difficult time.
Love,
Louise and Donn
Karen& Family- our sympathy to you all and we keep Merle in our prayers.
My deepest sympathy to you Karen and your family.
My sympathy, love and prayers are with you, Karen, your children and all of your families. May the love and peace of God be with all of you.
Our deep sympathies to you, Karen, your children, and your siblings. May the peace of God be with you. Rich and Marge
Our Deepest Sympathy to the Schwickerath family. Merle will be missed . He was one of a kind, good neighbor, photographer and so much more.
Our sincerest sympathy to you and your family, Karen. Merle will be missed by many. We’ll especially miss his excellent photography. May your many memories sustain you through these difficult times.
Sympathy to you ALL
Sympathy to you and your family for your loss. Prayers for you all.
Dear Karen and Merle’s loved ones, our hearts are aching for you as you grieve the loss of your dear Merle. A life lived so well, gone too soon. We’ll fondly remember Merle for his quiet strength, love of nature and family, and his amazing grace & faithfulness. May the wonderful memories you created together as a family sustain you during this time of grief and mourning. You were and are deeply loved! May God bless you all! Love, Francie & Steve
Karen and all of your family,our prayers,sympathy and love are with you all at this sad time in your lives,We will miss Merle in our card club as the guys will miss him playing cards with them,he always had a smile to give.Let your happy memories help you at this trying time in your lives. Tom and Marian Gebel
Karen and family, Our deepest sympathies to you at this difficult time. May your fond memories be a comfort to you. Merle was a gentle kindhearted, caring man who always had a smile for all. Heaven gained a true angel and New Hampton lost a wonderful friend to all. May he rest in peace. Thoughts and prayers are with you. Tom and Irene
Karen and family, We send our sympathy to all of the family. Hearing about Merle was a sad time for all who knew him. Fond memories will remain in our hearts. Dave and Sandy.
Karen and family…
My sympathy to you and all of the family. I’ve always treasured the time I got to spend with Merle all through High School – and out. I was sad to hear the outcome of his illness. Peace of the Lord be with you in these difficult days.
Harold L. Baltes
Karen and your family: My deepest sympathy to all of you. I will remember Merle because
of his photography talents, his kindness and wonderful smile. Sharon
Karen,
Jan and I would like to express our sincere condolences to you and your family at Merle’s death.
May your loss be tempered by God’s abiding love and presence for all of you at this time and into the future.
Ron Heth
Cedar Falls
Karen, please know how very sorry I am for this tremendous loss to your family. Merle was one of the kindest, sweetest guys in all of New Hampton. Our worlds are not the same without him. God bless you and yours. Betty Soukup
My prayers and sympathy go out to all of Merle’s family at this time of sorrow.
Karen and family, May His promise of eternal life be a comfort to you at this difficult time.
Karen and family, Our sincere sympathies with thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Karen and family, You have our sympathy for your loss. May God’s peace and comfort be with you. Joe and Sharon Haskovec
You have our sympathies and condolences on your loss.
Glen Laura Jenny
Schwickerath
Bill and Mary,
Keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. Remember the Butterfly 🦋 is Alive and Well.
Love Duke and Jo
Deepest sympathies to the entire Schwickerath family.
Karen and Family, I could always count on Merle for a genuine smile and kind words no mater what the subject. I will miss seeing him around New Hampton. Sorry for your loss. Bob (Stub) Kuennen
Karen and Mona and all your family: Our deepest sympathy. Love and Prayers.
Our prayers and sincere condolences to Karen and family in the loss of Merle, A good and honest man! Lance and Jan Manson
I am very sorry to here of the rapid passing of Merle. He will truly be missed. I will keep your family in my prayers.
Karen & family , Our deepest sympathy on your loss of Merle ! He was a wonderful man who was a friend to many! His smile and kindness will always be remembered ! Our thoughts and prayers are with you all !
Karen and family, Our sincere sympathy to you may he rest in peace.
Karen and family, we were sorry hear of Merle’s passing and unable to come over to share this time with you all. A lot of great memories over the years at family gatherings. I know he will be missed. Our deepest sympathy. Tom and Jan Krall
Merle was a good guy. The first guy I met at Vern Laures because he sold me my first van. His smile will be miss his kindness will always be missed. To his family remember the good times. Rest in peace and u will be missed. Brittany Kuecker
So sorry to learn of Merle’s passing. Our sympathy to Karen and families. Sending prayers for healing and comfort. Larry and Phyllis
Terry and Family, In this sorrowful time, i would like to extend to you our heartfelt condolences. May our Lord comfort you and your loved ones. Satish