Merlin Steele, 88
Published 12:00 am Friday, February 19, 2010
Funeral services for Merlin W. Steele of Albert Lea will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Grace Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. Todd Walsh will officiate. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded by the Albert Lea area veterans groups.
Merlin died Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010, at the Good Samaritan Center in Albert Lea. He was 88 years old.
Merlin was born March 24, 1921, near Conger, the son of George and Sadie (Toenges) Steele. He graduated high school in Alden. On June 1, 1945, he was united in marriage to Lois Nelson in Alden. Merlin served his country in the United States Marine Corps, attaining the rank of master sergeant.
He was a Freeborn County resident all of his life and a member of Grace Lutheran Church.
Merlin owned and operated Steele’s Auto Body in Albert Lea for many years and had a great love for cars. He was very proud of establishing a successful business.
He was a member of the Kiwanis Club, the VFW and American Legion, the Fountain Lake Sportsmen’s Club. Merlin’s passion for helping others was evident in his involvement in Spire and the Salvation Army. He was a true humanitarian and lent his services to anyone in need.
Merlin’s main focus and joy in his life was his wife and family.
Merlin loved fishing and knew all the right spots. He would also ice fish, hunt and go camping with his motor home.
He loved to include his children and grandchildren in all of these activities.
He was often found bringing smiles to everyone’s faces with a joke, crazy stories or humorous antics. Merlin was a continual presence in the lives of all his family members.
Merlin is survived by his daughters: Nancy and her husband Terry Peterson of Albert Lea and Julie and her husband Terry Heilman of Northfield; grandchildren include: Mike (Deb) Peterson, Nicole (Ron) Mentjes, Michael (Dawn) Heilman, Michelle (Clint) Muench; great grandchildren include: Abby and Alex Peterson, Talia and Logan Mentjes, Carson, Garrett and Mason Muench. There are also many nieces and nephews.
Merlin was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Lois, in 2008; two brothers: Norman and LeMoyne Steele; and one sister, Soneta Steele.
Merlin was cherished and will be sadly missed by his loving family and many friends.