Obituary for Merlin H. Kollbaum
Merlin H. Kollbaum, age 86, of Anthon, Iowa, passed away on Monday, October 14, 2019, at UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s of Sioux City, Iowa.
A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, October 21, 2019, in the United Methodist Church of Anthon, Iowa. Rev. Jena Finch-Manchester will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Oak Hill Cemetery of Anthon, Iowa, with Military Rites conducted by the McNiff Post No. 389 of the American Legion of Anthon, Iowa. A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 20, 2019, with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church of Anthon, Iowa. The Armstrong - Van Houten Funeral Home of Anthon, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.armstrongfuneral.com.
Merlin Henry Kollbaum was born August 9, 1933, on the farm south of Ida Grove, IA. He was the first son of Matt and Melinda (Hein) Kollbaum. Merlin was baptized at the Lutheran church in Ida Grove, IA. He was raised on the family farm where he gained his deep love for farming. He attended Grant #5 School near Ida Grove. In 1954 Merlin was drafted into the U.S. Army and served his country from 1954 to 1956. He attended basic training in Fort Leonard Wood, MO and was transferred to Korea where he served the remainder of his tour during the Korean War.
On June 2, 1957, Merlin was united in marriage to Colleen Phillips. They farmed near Battle Creek, IA, the first year of their marriage and then moved to the family farm southwest of Anthon, IA. The couple was blessed with five children: Kevin, Rena, Sherrie, Kenny and Bradley. Merlin and Colleen retired in the late 1990’s and they moved into the town of Anthon.
Merlin loved farming and still enjoyed watching the planting and harvest each year. He was active in the Woodbury Co. Cattleman Association, Woodbury Co. Pork Producers, Farm Bureau, American Legion and the United Methodist Church committees. Merlin enjoyed his daily coffee, hunting, fishing and golf. The couple loved to play cards and go out to dinner with friends. He looked forward to stag deer feeds with his hunting buddies and cherished his time visiting with family and friends. In recent years Merlin enjoyed telling stories of farming and hunting incidents, which brought a chuckle to everyone listening.
Left to cherish his memories are his children Kevin (Vicki) Kollbaum of Hornick IA,
Rena (Paul) Knezovich of Upton WY, Sherrie (Quentin) Bodholdt of Newell, IA, Kenny (Patty) Kollbaum of Anthon, IA and Bradley (Marcy) Kollbaum of Remsen, IA; 17 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren; brother Verdene (Linda) Kollbaum of Ida Grove, IA; brothers-in-law Glen Messenbrink of Schaller, IA and Don Waderich of Humboldt, IA; extended family and friends.
He was proceeded in death by his wife Colleen; his parents Matt and Melinda Kollbaum; sisters Vernette Messenbrink and Linda Lou Waderich; parents-in-law Joe and Elsie Phillips; brother-in-law Alfred “Bud” Schmidt, daughter-in-law Roxann (Roarson) Kollbaum.
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A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, October 21, 2019, in the United Methodist Church of Anthon, Iowa. Rev. Jena Finch-Manchester will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Oak Hill Cemetery of Anthon, Iowa, with Military Rites conducted by the McNiff Post No. 389 of the American Legion of Anthon, Iowa. A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 20, 2019, with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church of Anthon, Iowa. The Armstrong - Van Houten Funeral Home of Anthon, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.armstrongfuneral.com.
Merlin Henry Kollbaum was born August 9, 1933, on the farm south of Ida Grove, IA. He was the first son of Matt and Melinda (Hein) Kollbaum. Merlin was baptized at the Lutheran church in Ida Grove, IA. He was raised on the family farm where he gained his deep love for farming. He attended Grant #5 School near Ida Grove. In 1954 Merlin was drafted into the U.S. Army and served his country from 1954 to 1956. He attended basic training in Fort Leonard Wood, MO and was transferred to Korea where he served the remainder of his tour during the Korean War.
On June 2, 1957, Merlin was united in marriage to Colleen Phillips. They farmed near Battle Creek, IA, the first year of their marriage and then moved to the family farm southwest of Anthon, IA. The couple was blessed with five children: Kevin, Rena, Sherrie, Kenny and Bradley. Merlin and Colleen retired in the late 1990’s and they moved into the town of Anthon.
Merlin loved farming and still enjoyed watching the planting and harvest each year. He was active in the Woodbury Co. Cattleman Association, Woodbury Co. Pork Producers, Farm Bureau, American Legion and the United Methodist Church committees. Merlin enjoyed his daily coffee, hunting, fishing and golf. The couple loved to play cards and go out to dinner with friends. He looked forward to stag deer feeds with his hunting buddies and cherished his time visiting with family and friends. In recent years Merlin enjoyed telling stories of farming and hunting incidents, which brought a chuckle to everyone listening.
Left to cherish his memories are his children Kevin (Vicki) Kollbaum of Hornick IA,
Rena (Paul) Knezovich of Upton WY, Sherrie (Quentin) Bodholdt of Newell, IA, Kenny (Patty) Kollbaum of Anthon, IA and Bradley (Marcy) Kollbaum of Remsen, IA; 17 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren; brother Verdene (Linda) Kollbaum of Ida Grove, IA; brothers-in-law Glen Messenbrink of Schaller, IA and Don Waderich of Humboldt, IA; extended family and friends.
He was proceeded in death by his wife Colleen; his parents Matt and Melinda Kollbaum; sisters Vernette Messenbrink and Linda Lou Waderich; parents-in-law Joe and Elsie Phillips; brother-in-law Alfred “Bud” Schmidt, daughter-in-law Roxann (Roarson) Kollbaum.
Previous Events
Visitation
Sunday
20
Oct
5:00 PM
- 7:00 PM
Anthon Community Methodist Church
401 E Bridge Street
Anthon, IA 51004
Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m.
Funeral Service
Monday
21
Oct
10:30 AM
Anthon Community Methodist Church
401 E Bridge Street
Anthon, IA 51004
Cemetery Details
Location
Oak Hill Cemetery
Anthon, IA 51004
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