Wilfred Merfeld

Wilfred J. (Willie) Merfeld, 78, of Bellevue, passed away Monday evening, November 21, 2016 at Mill Valley Care Center in Bellevue surrounded by his family. Willie suffered a stroke May 21, 2015 and was never able to recover.A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30am, Friday, November 25 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bellevue. Burial will be in St Patricks Catholic Cemetery in Garryowen. Visitation for Willie will be held from 3-7pm Thursday evening at the Hachmann Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Bellevue and again Friday morning from 9:30-11:00am.Willie was born on February 28, 1938 at home in rural Bernard, son of Leo and Lettie (Rogers) Merfeld. He married Phyllis Brackemyer on February 19, 1982. She preceded him in death on September 5, 1990. He later married Mary Ann (Thole) Manders on August 6, 1993.Willie grew up on the farm and attended St. Patricks High School in Garryowen, Class of 1955. He served in the United States Army, upon his return he began farming in the Bernard and Washington Mills areas.Willie graduated from Reisch College of Auctioneering in 1973 and called at many auctions over the years including numerous charity events. He was affiliated with H-M-H Auctions for many years and later had his own firm.Willie was active in the community. He was a volunteer fireman in the Bernard Fire Department and later served as a Director. He also served as an officer in the Bernard Commercial Club and as treasurer in the Bernard Telephone Co. Willie was a volunteer driver for the DAV taking veterans to Iowa City for appointments. He was a bell ringer for the Salvation Army for many years. He went to Washington DC as a guardian for WWII veterans on an Honor Flight.His service meant a lot to him. He was a proud member of the Cascade Legion Post 528 where he served in many capacities and was Commander of the post. He folded flags at many Military Funerals.Willie is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; eleven step children, Larry (Pam) Brackemyer, Morrison, IL, Kathy Mae (Donn) Johnson, North Haven, CT, Kerry (Dave) Meyer, Erie, IL,Kathy Rae (Eddie) Deason, Hopkinsville, KY, Denny (Jean) Brackemyer, Bernard, IA, Randy (Kim) Brackemyer, La Motte, IA, Marty (Carol) Manders, Masonville, IA, Marla Kilburg (Tim Weigel), Sparta, WI, Maureen (Chris) Dilsaver, Commerce City, CO, Molly (Tom) Brockmann, Bettendorf, IA, and Meghan (Scott) Herrig, Dubuque; 28 step grandchildren and many step great grandchildren; sisters, Gerry Skahill and Madonna (Paul) McAndrews; and brother Carl Merfeld all of Dubuque; sisters-in-law Maizie Merfeld, East Dubuque, IL, Eileen Merfeld, Dubuque, IA, and brother in-law Paul (Grace) Kane, Bernard.Willie is preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Phyllis Merfeld, sisters Margaret (Tom) Buchanan, Mary (Al) Tigges, Eileen (Allen) Redmond, La Verne Merfeld and Grace Kane; brothers, Leonard and Orland Merfeld and brother-in-law Robert Skahill.The family would like to extend a special thank you to the loving and caring staff at Mill Valley Care Center - especially "Willie's girls" and Hospice of Jackson County.