Merle Henry Boeckenstedt of Manchester

Merle Henry Boeckenstedt, 81, of Manchester, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, July 2, 2026, at the Regional Medical Center in Manchester. He was born on June 6, 1945, in Dyersville, the son of Elmer and Josephine (Lansing) Boeckenstedt. Merle was a 1963 graduate of Maquoketa Valley High School. Merle served honorably in the Iowa Army National Guard.

On September 26, 1964, Merle married his high school sweetheart, Judy Marie Sackett. Five children were born to this union. The couple moved to Hopkinton for five years and then settled on their farm in Greeley. The couple farmed together and built a new home near Manchester 25 years ago.

Merle was a longtime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Greeley and then attended St. Mary Catholic Church in Manchester. He was a 25-year member of the Greeley Fire Department. Merle was also a member of both the Greeley and Manchester American Legion Posts. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards, and watching West Delaware football. Merle was a fan of both Clint Eastwood and John Wayne. Above all else, he loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Judy Boeckenstedt of Manchester; his five children, Marty (Pam) Boeckenstedt of Estes Park, Colorado, Joan (Steve) Edmonds of Cedar, Janet Smith of Phoenix, Arizona, Marcia (Greg) Vacek of Manchester, and Ellen Boeckenstedt of Searcy, Arkansas; seven grandchildren, Bryce (Jazzy) Edmonds, Bailey (Lindsay) Gustafson, Jeffrey (Chelsea) Boeckenstedt, Christine Boeckenstedt, Katie Boeckenstedt, Eli Vacek, and Brayden Smith; four great-grandchildren, Oliver Gustafson, Liam Edmonds, Lily Edmonds, and Jasper Boeckenstedt; three siblings, Alice (Reynold) Tegeler, Elaine (LeRoy) Mullis, and Jane (Win) Thomas; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Merle was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Allie (Marie) Boeckenstedt, Mary (Don) Moorman, Leon (Wilma) Boeckenstedt, Elmer “Buddy” Boeckenstedt, Jr., Agnes (Bob) Wegmann, and Gladys Boeckenstedt.

Online condolences may be sent to www.leonard-mullerfh.com.

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 a.m., on Monday, July 6, 2026, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Manchester, Iowa, with Deacon Roger Luensmann presiding. The Mass of Christian Burial will be livestreamed at http://blessedtrinitycluster.com/livestream-mass.

Visitation: 2:00 to 6:00 p.m., on Sunday, July 5, 2026, at Leonard-Muller Funeral Home in Manchester, Iowa. Friends may also call an hour before the service at the church on Monday.

Interment with Military Rites and Fireman’s Honor Guard: St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, Manchester, Iowa