Merle F. Martens

Merle F. Martens, 85, was blessed to go to his heavenly home on December 31, 2017. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, January 5, 2018 at McLaren’s Chapel, 801 19th St., in West Des Moines. A “Celebration of Faith” service will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, January 6, 2018 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 3223 University in Des Moines with burial at Resthaven Cemetery in West Des Moines. Memorial contributions may be made to his church.

Merle was born on a farm in Iowa County, IA. After graduating from Deep River High School in 1950, he enlisted in the Air Force and served four years, including one year during the Korean Conflict. Before his discharge, he spent time at Truax Air Force base in Madison, WI. During this time he met Arlet Pidima of Victor, IA. They married in 1954, and lived in the Marengo, IA area.

In 1959 they moved to Des Moines. He graduated from the American Institute of Business, and worked as a controller for Standard Medical & Surgical Company. In 1972 Merle became a Certified Public Accountant and formed Martens & Company. While operating this CPA firm, he also was President of David Mattson Co., Auto Industrial Warehouse and Martens Auto Parts, which he sold in 1979. In 1995 he formed Woodcrest Construction Co. building townhouses in Polk City. In 1998 he purchased Signs Plus, a sign manufacturing and installation company. He sold the CPA firm in 2005, but continued to serve his tax clients until shortly before his death. When his son, Dennis, left for the seminary in 2005, Merle took over management of the sign companies until December of 2010.

During his lifetime Merle was very active in his church, serving as President, Elder, and Treasurer. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church since 1960, sang in the church choir for 30 years, and taught Sunday School. He was a member of the American Institute of CPAs and Iowa Society of CPAs. He was a past President of Luther Park Care Center and served as a member of their foundation. Merle spent many years coaching Little League and attending University of Iowa Hawkeye games. He enjoyed spending time with his family at their West Des Moines home and their lake home at Sun Valley.

Merle and Arlet’s marriage was blessed with three children: Dennis, Marcia, and Michael. Merle was a loving, caring, and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to many.

He is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife of 63 years, Arlet; son, Pastor Dennis (Margaret) of Jefferson, IA; daughter, Marcia Shannon (Steve), and son, Michael (Anne) of West Des Moines; grandchildren, David Martens, Amy Danner, Christina Redd, Erica Shannon, Jessica Martens, and Kyle Martens; great-grandsons, Weston and Jordan Danner; brother, Oris (Betty); and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Lilia Martens; sisters, Eulalia Garrett Bates and Merita Brecht; brother, Fred; and son-in-law, David Redd.