Merlin Kollbaum
Merlin H. Kollbaum, age 86, of Anthon, Iowa, passed away on Monday, October 14, 2019 at UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s of Sioux City, Iowa.
A Funeral Service was held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, October 21, 2019, in the United Methodist Church of Anthon, Iowa. Rev. Jena Finch-Manchester officiated. Committal Services followed in the Oak Hill Cemetery of Anthon, Iowa, with Military Rites conducted by the McNiff Post No. 389 of the American Legion of Anthon, Iowa.
The Armstrong – Van Houten Funeral Home of Anthon, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent to www.armstrongfuneral.com.
Merlin Henry Kollbaum was born August 9, 1933, on the farm south of Ida Grove, Iowa. He was the first son of Matt and Melinda (Hein) Kollbaum.
Merlin was baptized at the Lutheran church in Ida Grove, Iowa. He was raised on the family farm where he gained his deep love for farming. He attended Grant #5 School near Ida Grove.
In 1954 Merlin was drafted into the U.S. Army and served his country from 1954 to 1956. He attended basic training in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and was transferred to Korea, where he served the remainder of his tour during the Korean War.
On June 2, 1957, Merlin was united in marriage to Colleen Phillips. They farmed near Battle Creek, Iowa the first year of their marriage and then moved to the family farm southwest of Anthon, Iowa.
The couple was blessed with five children: Kevin, Rena, Sherrie, Kenny and Bradley. Merlin and Colleen retired in the late 1990s and they moved into the town of Anthon.
Merlin loved farming and still enjoyed watching the planting and harvest each year. He was active in the Woodbury Co. Cattleman Association, Woodbury Co. Pork Producers, Farm Bureau, American Legion and United Methodist Church committees.
Merlin enjoyed his daily coffee, as well as hunting, fishing and golf. The couple loved to play cards and go out to dinner with friends. He looked forward to stag deer feeds with his hunting buddies and cherished his time visiting with family and friends.
In recent years Merlin enjoyed telling stories of farming and hunting incidents, which brought a chuckle to everyone listening.
Left to cherish his memories are his children: Kevin (Vicki) Kollbaum of Hornick IA; Rena (Paul) Knezovich of Upton WY; Sherrie (Quentin) Bodholdt of Newell, IA; Kenny (Patty) Kollbaum of Anthon, IA; and Bradley (Marcy) Kollbaum of Remsen, IA; 17 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; a brother, Verdene (Linda) Kollbaum of Ida Grove, IA; brothers-in-law Glen Messenbrink of Schaller, IA and Don Waderich of Humboldt, IA; and extended family and friends.
He was proceeded in death by his wife Colleen; his parents, Matt and Melinda Kollbaum; sisters Vernette Messenbrink and Linda Lou Waderich; parents-in-law Joe and Elsie Phillips; a brother-in-law, Alfred “Bud” Schmidt; and a daughter-in-law, Roxann (Roarson) Kollbaum.
