Merle Ollie Johnson

Merle Ollie Johnson passed away peacefully on September 29, 2025. Merle was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, as well as an impactful neighbor, leader in his community, and generous friend to anyone he met.

Merle was born on February 21, 1940, in a farmhouse in Story City, IA, and later moved to Ankeny, IA, as a young child. He shared many memories with his five siblings and developed a strong work ethic while raised on the Johnson family farm. Merle graduated from Ankeny High School in 1958 and later, Simpson College. Merle met his wife of 65 years, Susan, at the Ankeny roller skating rink. They grew their family in their lifelong home on SW Logan with the addition of three children, Steve, Jeff, and Sherry. Merle and Susan passed along their dedication to family and community with Merle at the helm.

Merle owned and operated his family businesses, Ankeny Tire & Battery and Ankeny Mower Sales & Services, with honesty, integrity, and family at its roots. He served in the National Guard and volunteered for countless organizations in his community over the years, including: Ankeny’s planning and zoning board, Ankeny school board, the Joint Board of Transit Trustees, Iowa’s Board of Educational Examiners, and the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa. Merle always believed, as a 40-year businessman of Ankeny, that he needed to give something back to his community, and give back, he did. Named Mayor of Ankeny for two terms, Big Brother of the Year, and Ankeny Citizen of the Year, Merle was a true man of character, who always led by example.

In 1952, Merle, his father, and his best friend Dennis, built their family cabin on Little Cut Foot Sioux Lake in northern Minnesota. This peaceful cabin continues to serve as a haven for many in the Johnson family, as it has since its inception. Merle had a passion for “puttering around” and could be classified as a man of many talents. Whether he was woodworking, fishing, fixing things up around the house, collecting knives, or jackets, he was always busy.

Merle was to his core, a family man. He is survived by his wife, Susan; children, Steve Johnson, Jeff (Julie) Johnson, and Sherry (Jim) Jordan; grandchildren, Nick (Erin) Johnson, Andrew Johnson, Trey (Susannah) Johnson, and Coleton (Danielle) Hamilton; great-grandchildren, Desmond, Nathaniel, Jude, Dominic and Cameron; and sisters, Verdal Odgaard and Janet Longcor. Merle was preceded in death by his parents, Milford and Jeanette; his brothers, Duane, Jerold, and Allen; brother-in-law, Keith Hildreth; sisters-in-law, Carole Ballard, and Nancy Carr; and daughter-in-law, Michelle Johnson.

A visitation will be held at Ankeny Funeral Home, located at 1510 West First Street, Ankeny, IA 50023, on Thursday, October 9, 2025, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The funeral service will take place at the same venue on Friday, October 10, 2025, from 11:00 am to 11:45 am. Following the service, a committal service will be held at Ankeny Memorial Gardens Cemetery, located at 4208 N Ankeny Blvd, Ankeny, IA 50023, from 12:00 pm to 12:15 pm. A time of food and fellowship will be hosted at Ankeny Funeral Home on Friday, October 10, 2025, from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting contributions be offered to a charity that was close to Merle’s heart, the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa, , 2130 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be left at www.ankenyfuneralhome.com for the Johnson family.