Merna Arlene Rechkemmer Obituary (1928

Merna A. Rechkemmer, 90, of Oelwein, Iowa died Tuesday afternoon, July 10, 2018 at the Buchanan County Health Center in Independence with her family at her bedside. Funeral Service: 10:30 A.M. Friday, July 13, 2018 at Christ United Presbyterian Church, Oelwein, with Rev. Kent Leydens officiating. Visitation: 3:00 to 7:00 P.M. Thursday at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home in Oelwein and for one hour before the service at the church on Friday. Interment: Woodlawn Cemetery, Oelwein, Iowa. Memorial Fund: St. Jude's Hospital or the International Messengers Pishana Orphanage Project to support Merna's granddaughter, Laura Rechkemmer's, work. Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com Merna Arlene Truesdell was born on March 5, 1928 in Wyoming, Iowa, the daughter of Roy Leslie & Velma Fae (Whitney) Truesdell. She graduated from Central City High School and received her B.A. in business from the Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls. Merna taught country school near Central City for two years and then became the business manager at KXEL Radio in Waterloo. Merna was united in marriage to Lewis August Rechkemmer on December 29, 1951 in Oelwein, Iowa. They moved to California while Lewis served in the military and then returned to Oelwein to farm in the area. They were blessed with three children, Leslie, Jeffrey and Mark. Merna worked as the Stanley school manager for several years. The family then moved to Paris, Texas where Merna was the business manager at Mercy Hospital for five years. They returned to Oelwein where Merna was the business manager at Oelwein Community Schools until December of 1974. Merna was a member of Christ United Presbyterian Church and a former state president of Epsilon Sigma Alpha Sorority, working to support St. Jude Children's Hospital. She enjoyed bowling, catching fish, playing cards, gardening, quilting, spending summers at the river and winters in Arizona. Merna especially enjoyed spending time with her family. Merna is survived by her daughter: Leslie Matthias of Albert Lea, Minnesota; 2 Sons: Jeffrey (Jean) Rechkemmer of Oelwein & Mark (Jennifer) Rechkemmer of Oelwein; 3 Granddaughters: Laura Rechkemmer, Sarah (Josh) Orchard & Rachel (Ben) Bruggeman; 5 Grandsons: Aaron (Mischa) Matthias, Jacob (Amy) Rechkemmer, Joseph (Jenni) Rechkemmer, Chad (fiancee: Jori Ohrt) Rechkemmer & Kristopher (Julia) Rechkemmer and 15 Great Grandchildren. Merna was preceded in death by her parents, husband: Lewis on September 13, 1996, sister: Norma Faust and a brother: Merlyn Truesdell.