Merle W. Rethamel

Merle W. Rethamel

merle rethamel
Merle W. Rethamel, age 75, of New Hampton, IA passed away on Thursday, March 28, 2013 at Linn Haven Rehab and Heealthcare in New Hampton. Merle William Rethamel was born on January 13, 1938 to Raymond and Helen (Kubik) Rethamel in Elma, IA. As a child, Merle’s family moved to a farm east of New Hampton. Merle is a 1956 high school graduate of New Hampton High. He enlisted into the US Army in 1961 and received his honorable discharge on December 20, 1962. Merle was united in marriage to Alice Reicks on September 5, 1964 at St. Stevens Catholic Church in Chester, IA. He worked at White Farm Equipment in Charles City for 34 years. Merle also worked for GMT in Waverly until he retired in 2001. He enjoyed carpentry, working and grading mink, and Hawkeye and Chickasaw sports. Merle especially enjoyed his grandchildren and attending their functions. He was a member of Holy Family Parish ~ St. Mary’s Center. Merle is survived by his loving wife Alice of New Hampton; children Shari (Ken) Rasing of New Hampton, Sheila (Greg) Shekleton of New Hampton, William (Denise) Rethamel of Muscatine, IA, Sandi (Ken) Honts of New Boston, IL; 10 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; sister Lois Girken of Charles City, IA; brother Eldon (Penny) Rethamel of Fredericksburg, IA; and several nieces and nephews. Merle is preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Helen Rethamel, brothers Father Roger Rethamel, Dale Rethamel and Reed Rethamel and son Mark Rethamel (July 24, 2004); brothers-in-law Garland Girken, Delbert Reicks, Melvin Reicks, and Virgil McGrane; sister-in-law Mary Rethamel. Cemetery: Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery at New Hampton with Travis Rasing, Jacob Rasing, Blake Rasing, Garrett Shekleton, Shane Shekleton, Lee Rethamel and Jaren Winkey serving as casket bearers. Memorials may be directed to the family. Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00pm on Sunday, March 31, 2013 with a 4:30pm rosary, and a 6:00pm scriptural wake service at Conway-Markham Funeral Home in New Hampton. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the service on Monday. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30am on Monday, April 1, 2013 at Holy Family Parish ~ St. Joseph Center in New Hampton with Father Mark Osterhaus celebrating.

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  1. Alice & family, we want to extend our sympathy for the loss of your husband, father and grandfather. You are all in our thoughts in prayers at this difficult time.

  2. Alice and family, So sorry to hear about Merle. Our sympathy to you and your whole family. Deb and Roger Lantzky

  3. Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss. Merle will be sadly missed.
    Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
    Deanne and Gerald Reicks

  4. Shari and Ken. We are very sorry for your loss. Please know you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

  5. To the Rethamel family:

    I am sorry to hear of your loss. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

    Amy (Nargang) LaBounty

  6. Alice & Family, So sorry for your loss. Please know you are in our thoughts at this difficult time.

  7. Alice and Family…..please accept our condolences on the loss of Merle. He was a great guy who always had a smile and loved watching the Chickasaws!! Rest in peace Merle.

  8. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May the Lord bless your family with Strength and Love.

  9. rethamel family sorry for the loss of husband and father
    i knew merle through working with bill. he will be missed

  10. To the Rethamel Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of sorrow. God be with you all.

  11. Alice and family, Our sincerest sympathy and prayers to all you the family. I remember singing at your wedding and have enjoyed visiting with you from time to time. May Merle find lasting peace in Heaven with his family and God. Remember and cherish all of your memories together.

  12. Our sympathy to Alice and all her family. Merle was such a good guy to visit with. His smile was so sincere and he made you feel good when visiting with you both.
    We pray that God giives you all strength and peace of mind in the next days and weeks. Merle is at rest.

  13. Please accept our sincere condolences for the loss of your loved one. This is one of the most difficult things we must face in our life. May it comfort you to know that others are deeply touched by your loss. God assures us at Psalms 34:18 that he is near to those broken in heart and those crushed in spirit he saves. Jesus also promises that we will be able to see our loved ones again. Jesus own words found at John 5:28,29 tells us there will be a resurrection. What a wonderful hope! God says that soon on the earth there will be no more pain, suffering and especially death at Revelation 21:3-5 We anxiously await the day when we will no longer lose those we love. May these bible thoughts bring you comfort at this most difficult time.

  14. Dear Alice and Family,
    Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family during this difficult time.
    Sincerely
    Dan and Jean Scott

  15. Dear Alice and family,
    My thoughts and prayers are with all of you as you mourn the death of Merle. It is so hard to lose someone you love so much. Our consolation is knowing that they are now in their heavenly home at peace, happy and free of all their pain and difficulties in this life. God’s healing love be with you.


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merle rethamel
Merle W. Rethamel, age 75, of New Hampton, IA passed away on Thursday, March 28, 2013 at Linn Haven Rehab and Care Center in New Hampton. Merle William Rethamel was born on January 13, 1938 to Raymond and Helen (Kubik) Rethamel in Elma, IA. As a child, Merle’s family moved to a farm east of New Hampton. Merle is a 1956 high school graduate of New Hampton High. He enlisted into the US Army in 1961 and received his honorable discharge on December 20, 1962. Merle was united in marriage to Alice Reicks on September 5, 1964 at St. Stevens Catholic Church in Chester, IA. He worked at White Farm Equipment in Charles City for 34 years. Merle also worked for GMT in Waverly until he retired in 2001. He enjoyed carpentry, working and grading mink, and Hawkeye and Chickasaw sports. Merle especially enjoyed his grandchildren and attending their functions. He was a member of Holy Family Parish ~ St. Mary’s Center. Merle is survived by his loving wife Alice of New Hampton; children Shari (Ken) Rasing of New Hampton, Sheila (Greg) Shekleton of New Hampton, William (Denise) Rethamel of Muscatine, IA, Sandi (Ken) Honts of New Boston, IL; 10 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; sister Lois Girken of Charles City, IA; brother Eldon (Penny) Rethamel of Fredericksburg, IA; and several nieces and nephews. Merle is preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Helen Rethamel, brothers Father Roger Rethamel, Dale Rethamel and Reed Rethamel and son Mark Rethamel (July 24, 2004); brothers-in-law Garland Girken, Delbert Reicks, Melvin Reicks, and Virgil McGrane; sister-in-law Mary Rethamel. Cemetery: Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery at New Hampton. Memorials may be directed to the family. Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00pm on Sunday, March 31, 2013 with a 4:30pm rosary, and a 6:00pm scriptural wake service at Conway-Markham Funeral Home in New Hampton. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the service on Monday. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30am on Monday, April 1, 2013 at Holy Family Parish ~ St. Joseph Center in New Hampton with Father Mark Osterhaus celebrating.

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