Merle Duane Nieman

Merle Duane Nieman, 87, endearing husband, father and grandpa passed away peacefully on Monday, April 13,2015, at Sunny View Care Center surrounded in song by his loving family just hours before his 88th birthday.

The oldest child of William H. and Carrie Esther (Hook) Nieman, Merle was born in Parkersburg, Iowa on April 14, 1927. Raised on a Depression era farm, Merle graduated from New Hartford High School in 1945 and proceeded directly into the military, serving in the U.S. Army as a Tech Corporal until 1947. Following the war, he attended Iowa State University on the GI Bill and graduated with a B.S. in Agricultural Engineering in 1951. He immediately began his career with John Deere Des Moines Works where he remained a faithful employee designing cotton pickers for 31 years.

He met Mary Eleanor Read in Ames where they soon fell in love and were married on July 5, 1959. Following the birth of their first daughter, the couple moved to Ankeny where they would raise their family and establish a home until the present.

A humble, diligent, man of faith, Merle was loyal to the important things in his life: family, gardening, church, John Deere and the ISU Cyclones. From cooking up his famous French toast as a member of Methodist Men to keeping attendance records and leading the usher team, Merle joyfully served as a FUMC member for more than 50 years. As founding members of the Ankeny Cyclone Club, he and Mary were avid ISU fans and were season ticket holders for their entire 55-year marriage. Their red and gold “4 CY” license plate says it all – four family members, all for the Cyclones! In his typical meticulous engineering style, Merle created and harvested a bountiful vegetable garden year after year. He coached his daughter’s softball team and was known for his encouraging “hubba hubba” cheer. With his endearing temperament and clever dry wit, Merle was easy to be around and easy to adore.

His grandchildren will remember him for his gentle spirit and mustache kisses.

Merle was preceded in death by his parents, William H. and Carrie Esther Nieman and his brother, Vernon James Nieman. Merle is survived by his loving wife, Mary Nieman; daughters, Marcia (Ron) Peeler of Indianola and Marlys (Christopher) Lietz of Boulder, Colorado; grandchildren, Erin, Andra, and Drew Peeler, and Emma, Calvin and Clara Lietz.

Merle’s celebration of a life well lived will be held at 11 a.m. , Saturday, April 18, 2015 at Ankeny First United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held on Friday, April 17, 2015 from 5:00-7:30 p.m. at Ankeny Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Ankeny First United Methodist Church “FUMC”and Sunny View Care Center in Merle’s honor.