Merle Rock

Merle Rock, age 80, of Mankato, died on Monday, October 23, 2006 at his home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, October 26 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church with Father John Wilmot officiating. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. at Mankato Mortuary with a 4 p.m. prayer service. Visitation will also continue one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be at Woodland Hills Cemetery.

Merle Franklin was born on March 6, 1926 to Clarence and Effie (Odell) Rock in Muscatine, IA. He graduated from Muscatine High School in 1944 and then entered the United States Navy. He served in the Navy from 1944-1946. Merle attended Muscatine Community College. Merle was united in marriage to Joyce King in 1949 at St. Marys Catholic Church in Muscatine, IA. He worked for S.S. Kresge for 20 years and then was a custodian at Mankato East High School. Merle was a member of the VFW Post #9713 and a member of the American Legion. He enjoyed playing cards, hunting, fishing, and spending time with family.

Merle is survived by his wife Joyce of Mankato; 9 children: Dan (Barbara) of Lake Crystal, David (Kay) of Kasota, Michael (Paula) of Eden Prairie, Theresa (Robert) Altmann of Le Sueur, Janice (Larry) Sens of Eagle Lake, Timothy (Holly) of Eagle Lake, Andrew (Bertha) of Winnebago, Anthony (Linda) of Cottage Grove, and Christopher of Lake Crystal; son-in-law, Doug Iddings of Waconia; 23 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; brother Clarence (Margaret) Rock of West Liberty, IA; and sister Loretta (Riley) Brandon of Pine Top, AZ.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two daughters, Sue Iddings and Patty Rock, and one sister Dorothy.