Strong, Merlin L.

Merlin L. Strong, 86, of Cedar Rapids, died Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011, at St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids.

He was born March 21, 1924, in Lansing, Iowa, to Merl and Julia (Sparks) Strong. Merlin grew up in Lansing, living there until 1971. He worked construction most of his life.

On June 19, 1946, he married Alice Marie Stahl at the Presbyterian Church in Lansing. Merlin and Alice enjoyed many winters traveling and spent six winters in Florida. He loved to go shrimping and always using his carpenter skills every chance he could. Merlin served almost three years in the Army Air Force during World War II. Ten years before retirement he worked at the University of Iowa Hospital School in Iowa City. He customized equipment for disabled children and any carpenter work needed for the school.

Merlin is survived by his wife, Alice of Cedar Rapids; daughter, Shirley (Dale) Bruening of Cedar Rapids; son, Roger (Barb) Strong of Cedar Rapids; daughter, Rita Strong of Cedar Rapids; four grandchildren, Trisha (Kyle) Dusil of Coggon, and Todd (Linda) Bruening, Tiffany Bruening and Amanda Strong, all of Cedar Rapids; two great-grandchildren, Jessica Bruening and Damian Smith; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Merl and Julia Strong; five brothers and one sister.

A Celebration of Life, with military rites, will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories, with the Pastor Randy Scheil officiating. Inurnment will be in Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call from noon until service time Saturday at the chapel.

A memorial fund has been established in his name.

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