Merlin Dean Statema

Hull, IA: Merlin Dean Statema, 75, passed away Monday, February 23, 2026, at Pleasant Acres Care Center in Hull, Iowa. A funeral service will be held Friday, February 27, at 1:30 PM at Porter Funeral Home of Rock Valley, Iowa with Rev. Nate Kuperus officiating. The service will be livestreamed at https://www.porterfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/merlin-statema. The viewing of the livestream is located at the bottom of Merlin's obituary page. Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery of Ireton, Iowa. Visitation with the family present will be held Thursday, February 26, from 5:30-7:00 PM at Porter Funeral Home of Rock Valley.

Merlin Dean Statema was born February 4, 1951, to Arthur and Geraldine (Schuller) Statema in Hawarden, Iowa. He grew up and worked on the family farm and attended the Christian Reformed Church in Ireton, Iowa. Merlin married Joan Vander Weide on September 21, 1973. Two children were born of this union, Dawn Lynn and Kevin Jay. When this marriage ended, he became a single parent for a while. Merlin married Gayle Van Den Oever on June 20, 1987. One child was born of this union, Gerralynne Brianne.

Merlin worked many jobs to support his family beginning with making paint for Diamond Vogel Paint in Orange City, Iowa for 26 years and grinding cattle feed for Cleo Te Slaa. In 1998, Merlin and Gayle moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota and became members of Shalom Christian Reformed Church. He worked for Americold on a forklift, drove truck for Werner, Berry Plastics on a forklift, and retired to work for Walmart.

Merlin enjoyed bowling on leagues with his own ball and shoes. He very much enjoyed driving his 1986 Dodge Ram black and silver pick-up truck with the Dukes of Hazard General Lee Mag wheel rims that he had for 20+ years. He had a knack for being able to back up any tractor and trailer perfectly every time.

Merlin is survived by his wife of 38 years, Gayle; daughters, Dawn Statema of Maurice, Iowa and Gerralynne Statema of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; son, Kevin Statema, Maurice, Iowa; sisters, Joanne (Gerald) Franken of Sioux Center, Iowa, Glenda (Gailyn) Hagena of Lennox, South Dakota, and Bonnie (Art) Boone of Sheldon, Iowa; brothers, Donald (Helen) Statema and Peter Statema both of Orange City, Iowa; sisters-in-law, Brenda (Damon) Hopson of Cleveland, Ohio and Michelle (Billy) Jansma of Ellsworth, Minnesota; brothers-in-law, Walter Van Den Oever of Brandon, South Dakota, Bryan Van Den Oever of Washington, DC, Ryan Van Den Oever of Wenatchee, Washington, and Frederick Van Den Oever of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and many nieces and nephews.

Merlin was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Geraldine Statema; first wife, Joan; parents-in-law, Walter and Berniece Van Den Oever; and sister-in-law, Nancy Statema.