Merlin Arthur Magneson, the son of Arthur E. and Freida (Brodd) Magneson was born February 16, 1932 on a farm north of Stanton, Iowa. He passed away on Thursday, March 31, 2016 at the Clarinda Regional Health Center, Clarinda, Iowa at the age of 84 years, 1 month and 15 days.

Merlin was raised on a farm north of Stanton and graduated from Stanton High School with the class of 1951. Merlin was united in marriage to Ann Stackhouse on December 30, 1957 at Tulsa, Oklahoma. To this union three children were born: Dan, Jeff and Trish. Merlin took correspondence courses in accounting, earning an AA degree. They moved to Shenandoah, Iowa in 1964, where Merlin worked at a C.P.A. firm, before living one year in Spencer, Iowa. In 1972, they made their home in Clarinda, Iowa and purchased an accounting firm from True Whitehead. Merlin sold the accounting business in 1994 and started a locksmith service, retiring in 2014. Merlin enjoyed fishing, restoring and working on old cars, and was very interested in politics. He enjoyed all his pets, especially his black poodles. Merlin was a member of the Mamrelund Lutheran Church, Stanton.

Merlin was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ann on October 29, 2008; and two sisters: Laverna Hayner and Berniece England.

Merlin is survived by three children: Dan Magneson of Quilcene, WA; Jeff Magneson and wife Tammy of Stanton, IA; and Trish Anderson and husband Kevin of Ames, IA; five grandchildren: Heather Downing and husband Adam, Dayne Magneson and wife Bailey, Ashley Williams and husband Chris, Alyssa Mogler and husband Logan, and Alexa Anderson and fiancé Justin Mendenhall; three great-grandchildren: Delainey Magneson, Camryn Williams and Kaylee Mogler; and brother, Veryll Magneson of Villisca, IA; other relatives and friends.

May God bless his memory and give strength to those who mourn.

Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at 10:30 a.m.

At Mamrelund Lutheran Church, Stanton, Iowa

Burial in Mamre Cemetery, Stanton

Rev. Dr. Eric Kutzli, Officiating

Visitation with the family present will be held Tuesday, April 5 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Mamrelund Lutheran Church, Stanton.

Memorials may be directed to Mamrelund Lutheran Church, Stanton; Oncology Department of Montgomery County Memorial Hospital, Red Oak or Radiation Department of Shenandoah Memorial Hospital, Shenandoah.

Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.