Merlin D. Dettmering, 77

Merlin Dean Dettmering, 77, of Waverly Iowa, died early Tuesday morning, December 24, 2013 at the Waverly Health Center, in Waverly, Iowa.

Merlin was born on June 8, 1936, on the family farm in Fremont Township in Bremer County, the son of Henry A. and Edelina (Buhr) Dettmering. He grew up in Bremer County and was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church Crane Creek. He graduated from Tripoli High school in 1955, Wartburg College in 1959 with a BA, and State College of Iowa, now UNI, in 1964, with a MA.

On July 23, 1966, Merlin was united in marriage to Kathryn Elizabeth Becker at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Waverly. For 36 years, Merlin taught high school biology, chemistry, and physics, in Hanlonton, IA, Frost, MN, Dysart, IA and LaPorte City, IA, prior to retiring in May of 1997. Merlin’s special interests were everything associated with Wartburg College!

Merlin is survived by his loving wife of over 47 years, Kathryn of Waverly; a daughter, Elizabeth (Paul) Mugan of Waverly; a granddaughter, Anna Mugan; and sister-in-law, Gertrude Dettmering, of Tripoli, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Donald Dettmering.

Merlin’s body has been cremated, and a memorial service will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, January 3, 2014, at Wartburg Chapel in Waverly, Iowa. Pastor Jim Radatz from Zion Lutheran Church in Dysart will be officiating. Family will greet friends at the chapel from 9:30 am until the time of the service on Friday. Memorials may be directed to Wartburg College, the family, or charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences for Merlin may be left at www.kaisercorson.com. Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Waverly is assisting the family. *