Merle B. Aase, 77, of Northwood, Iowa, died on Sunday, March 25, 2007, after a 1 1/2-year struggle with pancreatic cnacer, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa.

The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Lutheran Church, Northwood, Iowa, with the Rev. Barbara Wills officiating. Burial will be in the South Shell Rock Cemetery, Northwood. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, Northwood, and one hour prior to service at the church.

Merle was born on Dec. 31, 1929, in Albert Lea to Fred and Inga (Kittleson) Aase. He attended and graduated from Northwood High School in 1948. On Oct.3, 1948 he married Sally Ryan of Albert Lea. He was employed at Worth Mutual Insurance for 36 years. Merle was an avid Hawkeye fan and always loved going to the Northwood High School games.

Merle was a member of the First Lutheran Church and Mens Lutheran Brotherhood, South Shell Rock Lutheran Cemetery Board, the Quarterback Club, Northwood Jaycees, the Albert Lea Elks Club 813, Northwood Country Club and served as announcer for the Northwood football games for a number of years.

Merle was proud of his two sons and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Steven Aase; and foster brother Gaylord Nelson.

Merle is survived by his wife, Sally of Northwood, Iowa; son Larry and wife Jackie of Port Townsend, Wash.; daughter-in-law Sharon Aase of Northwood, Iowa; grandchildren Lauren and Joe Aase and Debra McDole of Marshalltown, Iowa; great grandchildren Nathaniel and Natasha McDole of Marshalltown, Iowa; sister Sandra and husband Chet Eisenman of Britt, Iowa; nieces, Kristy (Brad)McKinney of Mesa, Ar. and their two children Ryan and Anderea , Jolene(Marcus) Bruns and their two children, Bennett and Coralee and nephew Kevin(Michelle) Eisenman all of Britt, Iowa.

Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home of Northwood is in charge of arrangements, (641) 324-1121.