Lowell Merrill

Hawarden, IA: Lowell F. Merrill, 85, of Hawarden, Iowa, died Friday, December 25, 2020, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Memorial Service will be 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 21, 2021 at First Baptist Church in Hawarden with Pastor Stuart Schreur officiating. Inurnment will follow at Grace Hill Cemetery with military rites by Two Oaks American Legion Post 254 and the Iowa Army Honor Guard.    Lowell Franklin Merrill, son of Edgar L. and Grace L. (Buchholz) Merrill, was born January 24, 1935, at Sioux Rapids, Iowa. He attended school at Sioux Rapids into the 3rd grade. He then attended Cornell Consolidated School, graduating in 1952 with a class size of just 5 (4 boys and 1 girl). After graduation, Lowell farmed with his dad near Cornell, Iowa. In September 1957, he entered the United States Army. Lowell spent time serving in Colorado, Kentucky, and Camp Beaver, South Korea. Lowell was united in marriage with Bonnie Fay Anderson on May 21, 1960, at the Little Brown Church at Nashua, Iowa. The couple was blessed with 2 children, Donna Marie and Daniel Lynn.    Lowell was employed as a USDA Meat Inspector from 1967-1995. He worked in Ottumwa, Hawarden, and Sioux Center, Iowa. When not working, Lowell enjoyed hunting, fur-trapping, and camping with family and friends. He also loved sporting events and was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan. Lowell was a member of the First Baptist Church in Webb, Ottumwa, and Hawarden, Iowa. Over the years he served as a deacon, trustee, finance board member, and member of the pastoral search committee.    Lowell is survived by his wife of 60 years, Bonnie; 2 children, Donna (Chris) Ryan of Omaha, Nebraska and Daniel Merrill, Dawn Dekenipp of Missoula, Montana; 7 grandchildren, Jeremy, Josh (Beverly), Jeff, James, JR, Jennifer, and Maelynn; 11 great-grandchildren; sister, Louise Woodall; 2 nephews, Philip (Beth) Woodall and John (Amy) Woodall; cousins, and many lifelong friends.    He was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Grace Merrill; parents-in-law, Martin and Mae Anderson; and brother-in-law, Bill Woodall.