Merlyn Okland

Merlyn (Mert) C. Okland, 81, passed away on Oct. 13, 2015, at Israel Family Hospice House, in Ames, Iowa. Funeral services were held on Oct. 17, 2015, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, in Story City, Iowa. Burial will be at Story City Municipal Cemetery at a later date.

Merlyn (Mert) C. Okland was born Aug. 12, 1934, to Merle and Clarice (Lindebak) Okland in Story City. Mert served in the United States Army during the Korean War. On Sept. 14, 1957, he was united in marriage to Darlene Davis at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. They settled in Story City and raised two children, Jeff and Michelle.

Early in his career, Mert worked three jobs at one time to provide for his family. He was founder of Okland Welding then he and Darlene went on to create Putco Manufacturing, in Story City, which mass produced running boards and pickup truck accessories which were sold throughout North America.

Mert was a lifelong resident of Story City and a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, the Story City American Legion, the Story City Fire Department, the Jaycees, and Iowa State University Cyclone Club. He was a fan of all ISU athletics and enjoyed morning coffee club, golfing and going on fishing trips. He loved spending time at the lake at Clear Lake and Lake of the Ozarks, Mo. Most of all, Mert loved being with his grandchildren.

Mert is survived by his son, Jeff Okland, of Dallas Texas; his daughter, Michelle (Tom) Randall, of Ames; his grandchildren, Tanya (Jason) Kroeger, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Tara (Lee) Carlson, of Stratford, Texas, Jenni (Corey) Graham, of Prosper, Texas, Jammi (Cody) Standerfer of Prosper, Crystal (Michael) Schoults, of Springfield, Mo. and Bobby Crockett, of Springfield; nine great-grandchildren; two sisters, Ramona Johnson, of Ft. Collins, Colo. and Nadine Overley, of Castle Rock, Colo.; 11 nieces and nephews; and Mert and Dar’s special family friends, Lynn and Joyce Knutson, of Jewell, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and wife, Darlene Okland.

The family sends special thanks to Dr. David Carlyle, the special, caring staff at Bethany Life and Timberland Village, and Israel Family Hospice House.

Memorials may be made Immanuel Lutheran Church, Bethany Life Communities or Israel Family Hospice House.

      Soderstrum Funeral Home, in Story City, was in charge of arrangements.