Merton Iverson

Merton A. Iverson, age 92, of Decorah died Wednesday morning, September 3, 2014 at Aase Haugen Home in Decorah. Funeral Services were held Sunday, September 7 at Decorah Lutheran Church, with Rev. David Sorensen and Rev. Bryan Robertson officiating. Burial was in Iowa River Cemetery in rural Dorchester with full military honors.
Merton Arvid Iverson was born May 29, 1922 in Pleasant Township, Winneshiek County to Olaf and Elma (Tweet) Iverson. He was baptized and confirmed at Iowa River Lutheran Church. Merton attended country school in Pleasant Township and graduated from Waukon High School with the Class of 1940.
He served in the Navy from December of 1940 to December of 1946 in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters.  He attended Junior College in Waukon for one year and Rankin Trade School in St. Louis for three years, where he was certified in plumbing and welding.
Merton was united in marriage to Marcella E. Gilbertson June 18, 1948 at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church in Waukon. To this union three children were born, Larry, Marilyn and Randy.
Mert and Marcy moved to Decorah in 1952 where he worked for Vick’s Plumbing & Heating. He worked in Sales for the Des Moines Register for a period of time and then in 1960 he opened Iverson Window & Awning, which he ran for over 40 years.
Mert loved doing things with his family and always gave special attention to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved to play softball and garden, and truly enjoyed umpiring for softball, baseball and volleyball for 25 years. He liked to hunt and walk the woods as well as spending time visiting with people.  He enjoyed bowling, which he did for many years, and playing cards. He was active in Cub Scouts and was on the Board. He was a longtime member of the Helof Holm V.F.W. Post No. 1977 in Decorah and was a member of Decorah Lutheran Church, where he was a former Council member, served as usher, taught Sunday School, and participated in Stephen Ministries and Bethel Series.
Mert is survived by his wife, Marcella (Marcy); three children, Larry Iverson of New Hampton, Marilyn (Kevin) Klooster of Aplington and Randy (Kari) Iverson of Decorah; seven grandchildren, Audrey Iverson, Kirk (Rachael) Klooster, Kent Klooster, Courtney (Jon) Anderson, Adam Iverson, Sarah Lee and Jenna Iverson; six great-grandchildren, Bayleigh Iverson, Peyton Klooster, Jenzen Klooster, Tate Klooster, Addisyn Iverson and Lennon Brown; a sister-in-law, Violet Reetz of Waterloo; and also by many nieces and nephews.
Mert was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Orville (Bernice) Iverson; two sisters, Eleanor (Clifford) Ellingson and Florence (Thomas) Schrandt and her second husband, Alvin Ranzenberger; and his brother-in-law, Virgil Reetz.
Casketbearers were Kirk Klooster, Rachael Klooster, Kent Klooster, Courtney Anderson, Jon Anderson, Adam Iverson, Sarah Lee, Jeremy Brown and Jenna Iverson.
Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah assisted the family. Online condolences may be made at www.fjelstul.com.