The Superior Express -

Merlen Ray Schnakenberg, 85, son of George and Edna (Getz) Schnakenberg was born March 29, 1937, in Sedan. He was the fifth of eight children to this marriage, with only a sister and two brothers entering life and establishing the family. Merlen died Thursday, June 2, 2022.

Merlen grew up in Sedan, attending and graduating from St. Peters Lutheran School and from Davenport High School in the Class of 1955. Upon graduating, Merlen enlisted into the military but a knee complication denied his admission. He worked for various farmers in the area, drove truck hauling cattle to Omaha and St. Joseph stockyards, and Bergt Bros. Sand & Gravel Company.

On Oct. 21, 1962, Merlen was united in marriage with Rosemary (Elvers) Bartling and became a family with her three children; Nicky, Daniel and Kristine Bartling. To this marriage, four more children eventually were added: Shelly, Jodi, Jani and Jamie. In 1964, Merlen and Rose moved their growing family from Deshler to the Getz family farm north of Deshler. Merlen was a farmer and a livestock producer. Merlen was devoted to the Schnakenberg Brothers business. In 1978, the family relocated to the Othling farm south of Deshler and Merlen started working for Ray Mausoleum Co. in Deshler. He retired from his small farming operation in 1995 after suffering a health issue. He was employed more than 30 years with Ray Mausoleum Co and later, Mausoleums by Reinke in Hebron, until he fully retired. Merlen and Rose, in 2007 purchased their first acreage, the Achterberg farm, northeast of Deshler and resided there until Merlen moved into Deshler in April 2021.

Retirement was full of trips to watch his grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow up. He enjoyed road trips, being the narrator for who lived there or what was relevant about the location. Many stories about his youthful years were told involving the train that he rode to and from school in Davenport. He recalled the blizzard of 1949 and not losing a single chick when the chicken brooder house was completely buried under snow. In high school he participated in track, played basketball and excelled in football and was proud Davenport beat Deshler his senior season. Trips to visit family in Missouri, occasional family vacations and camping trips that started with the children in the 1960s continued.

Merlen was preceded in death by his parents; Rose, his wife, of 53 years; sister Leela Mae Crockett; and grandson, Taylor Bartling.

He is survived by his three sons: Nicky Bartling of Deshler, Daniel Bartling of Aurora, Neb., and Jamie Schnakenberg of Wahoo; four daughters, Kristine Ellingson of Crete, Shelly Schnakenberg of Phillips, Jodi Else of Belvidere; Jani Cottam of Hebron; 14 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Harlan Schnakenberg of Deshler, and Larry Schnakenberg of Tucson, Ariz.

Following Mert’s wishes, he was cremated and a funeral was held Friday, June 10. Officiant were Pastor Brian Francik