Merlyn A. Rees Obituary
Merlyn Al Rees, 81, of Shenandoah, Iowa, entered into eternal rest on Monday, March 6, 2023, at Accura HealthCare Shenandoah. A celebration of life funeral for Merlyn will be held on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at 11:00 am at Nishna Valley Funeral and Cremation Service in Shenandoah with Rev. Rick Sleyster officiating. The family will greet relatives and friends with visitation and viewing Monday evening, March 13, 2023, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the funeral home. Memorials in Merlyn's name are being directed to the donor's choice of their favorite wildlife conservation (ex. Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, etc.) or to the Shenandoah Congregational Church (UCC) music department. Burial with military honors accorded by the Shenandoah American Legion Post #88 will take place in the Lakes Addition of Rose Hill Cemetery in Shenandoah. Following the committal service, everyone is invited to join the family for a time of fellowship and lunch at the Shenandoah Elks Lodge, 709 S. Fremont Shenandoah, Iowa.
OBITUARY: Merlyn Al Rees, son of John and Pearl (Worshek) Rees, was born on May 22, 1941, in Guthrie Center, Iowa. He entered into eternal rest on Monday, March 6, 2023, in Shenandoah, Iowa, at the age of 81 years, 9 months, 15 days.
Until he was five years old, Merlyn lived in Guthrie Center with his mother and his younger brother, Gary, and his younger sister, Judy. Then he moved to a farm outside of Guthrie Center and was raised by his uncle and aunt, Leslie (Leck) and Maracella (Worshek) Buttler. Merlyn graduated from Guthrie Center High School with the Class of 1959.
Following graduation, Merlyn enlisted in the United States Navy. He served as a sonarman 3rd Class on the USS Jenkins, a destroyer escort in the Pacific, from 1960-1964. Following his honorable discharge, Merlyn enrolled in Northwest Missouri State in Maryville, Missouri. He graduated with a degree in Agricultural Business in 1970.
Merlyn moved to Shenandoah in 1971 and served the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) out of the Shenandoah office for the early part of his career, lending to farm families and providing housing loans for area families. When the FmHA reorganized as the Rural Development Agency, he worked out of the Atlantic office with communities and rural water organizations by processing water, sewer loans and grants and other essential community facilities in southwest Iowa.
On May 3, 1975, Merlyn was united in marriage to Sarah Lorance. On June 12, 1976, their daughter Rebecca was born. Becca recalls a very fun family road trip vacation to Mount Rushmore in South Dakota in 1985. Becca's 16th birthday was celebrated with a surprise limousine trip to Omaha, NE to attend a dinner theater and a hotel overnight with several friends. Sarah died on May 3, 2004.
Merlyn was a member of the Shenandoah American Legion Post #88, Shenandoah Elks Lodge #1122, and an active charter member since 1985 of Horse Creek Hunting Club. Merlyn was an avid hunter and fisherman and active in wildlife conservation. At any given time, he was a member of White Tails Unlimited, Wild Turkey Federation, Ducks Unlimited, and Pheasants Forever. His daughter recalls going to ALL those banquets with him. Merlyn thoroughly enjoyed his annual trips to Canada with his fishing buddies to fish for walleye. He also enjoyed ice fishing in local ponds in the winter.
On September 22, 2007, Merlyn was united in marriage to Carol Lee Radden cruising down the Missouri River on the Spirit of Brownville. The happily retired couple enjoyed traveling, taking cruises and spending time with family and friends.
Merlyn loved his dogs and loved to whistle. Early in the morning while he was walking the dogs, his beautiful whistling could be heard for three blocks in the neighborhood. Becca fondly remembers her dad whistling "You Are My Sunshine". Customers and staff at Hy-Vee recall him whistling on the job. He even whistled "Amazing Grace" for a funeral.
Merlyn was known by many names: Honey by his sweetheart wife, Carol Lee; Dad by his daughter, Becca; Papa by his grandkids, Trevor and Rees; Bro by his sis, Judy; Uncle Fuzz by his nephews, Jeff and Brian; Rees by his fishing buddies; Pops by the beloved Taylor family; Buddy Buddy by his dear friend, Neet; and Brother Obnoxious by Carol Lee's mother, Lois Radden (whom he called Mother Superior).
Preceding Merlyn in death were his parents, John, and Pearl (Worshek) Rees; uncle and aunt Leslie and Marcella Buttler; first wife, Sarah (Lorance) Rees; brother in-law Edward Fitzgerald.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Carol Lee Rees of Shenandoah, IA; daughter, Becca Fausett of Stafford, VA; brother, Gary Rees of Guthrie Center, IA; sister, Judy Fitzgerald of Omaha, NE; nephews, Jeff (Jessica) Fitzgerald of Omaha, NE, and Brian (Anna) Fitzgerald of Lincoln, NE; and grandchildren, Trevor and Rees of Stafford, VA.
Celebration of Life Funeral with Rev. Rick Sleyster officiating. Mar14 Graveside Tuesday, March 14, 2023 12:00PM Rose Hill Cemetery 307 Carter St.
Burial with military honors accorded by Shenandoah American Legion Post #88, Final Resting Place Rose Hill Cemetery 307 Carter St.
