Merle D. Boden

Born in Sterling, Nebraska on July 10th, 1940, he was the son of Trientje "Tena" (Kelle) and Walter Boden. He grew up on the farm just outside of Sterling, with his six brothers and sisters, and graduated from Sterling High School in 1958. Merle attended classes for a time at Peru State College then went on to complete a program at a specialty electronics school in Omaha. He worked for AT&T for over 25 years, retiring as a supervisor.

Merle met Janice Lee (Van Omen) Cale and fell in love. They were married on June 7, 1998 and settled in Loveland in 2001. Together they enjoyed life's simple pleasures, each other's company, and doting on their many grandchildren and great grandchildren. They were truly a pair. They had celebrated more than 26 wonderful years together at the time of Jan's passing in 2024.

Merle was blessed with two sons, Dave and Tom. He was a great father, both loving and kind. He supported his boys in all that they did and found so much joy in being present in their lives. He taught them the value of working with their hands and taking pride in their work, sharing with them the many skills he had acquired throughout his life. He loved watching them grow to be men, then husbands, and then fathers with families of their own. Merle was so very proud of his boys and the men they became.

Merle was not an idle man. He worked hard all his life. Following his retirement, he stayed busy, as always. He took on many handyman projects, both at home, his church, and for others. Merle was not just a 'Jack of all trades', he was an absolute master of all. Among his many skills, he could be a finish carpenter or a mechanic and was capable of building or fixing just about anything. He was also an avid fisherman and wow could he ever fish! Later in life, Merle went fishing almost every day. He was a former President of the Loveland Fishing Club and a long-time member of Redeemer Lutheran Church.

Merle was a great man. He was even tempered and well humored, cracking jokes right up until he took his last breath. He enjoyed the simple pleasures in life. A cold beer in one hand, and a fishing pole in the other. He treasured time spent with good friends, the woman he loved, his boys, his grandkids, and his great grandkids. He lived the good life, and will be dearly missed.

Merle's legacy of family and faith carries on in the lives of his sons, David "Dave" Boden and wife Kelly of Loveland, CO, and Thomas "Tom" Boden of Fort Collins, CO. He adored all of his step daughters and their families. Papa Merle will be fondly remembered by his many grandchildren and great grandchildren, all of whom he loved very much.

He is also survived by two sisters, Ardis (Boden) Wentz and husband Ken of Sterling, NE, and Mary (Boden) Waddington of Phoenix, AZ; sister-in-law Jackie Boden of Sterling, NE; brother-in-law Ben Schole of Hooper, NE; and by his first wife and mother of his boys, Kaye R. (Jacobson) Boden of Loveland, CO; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended family.

Along with his wife Jan, Merle is preceded in death by his mother & father, Tena & Walter Boden; brothers LeeRoy Boden and Donnavan Boden; his sister Janice (Boden) Bouc and her husband Ken; his sister Linda (Boden) Schole; and by two nephews, Darrin Bouc and Jeff Boden.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, September 28th, 2025 at 2pm at Merle's home, 2311 N Garfield Ave, Loveland 80538.

Treasured memories of Merle and words of condolence for his family are welcome at resthavencolorado.com.