NEW HAMPTON - Merlin Jesse "Shorty" Straw, 71, New Hampton, died Sunday, June 23, 2002 at his home of natural causes.

Memorial Services were 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 26 at Trinity Lutheran Church, New Hampton with Pastor David Bergstrom and Pastor Kevin Frey officiating. Music for the service was provided by Derfnis Strum as organist and soloist, singing, "On Eagle's Wings". Congregational hymns were "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Rock of Ages". Crossbearer was Nick Haugen.

Interment was in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Bovd.

Visitation was from 4 to 7 .m. Tuesday, June 25 at Hugeback Funeral Home, New Hampton and an hour prior to services at the church.

Merlin was born Dec. 28,1930 in rural Bremer County, the son of Jesse and Hazel (Fulcher) Straw. He attended Spring Fountain Lutheran School, Spring Fountain. On June 4, 1955 he married Joan McAllen at Williamstown United Methodist Church. The couple resided in New Hampton where Shorty worked as a truck driver and then as a meat cutter for the Vern Bierbaum Locker. He later went to work at the Barney Ball Comer Grocery followed by several years with Hy-Vee in Waterloo and Charles City. In 1975 Shorty opened New Hampton Meat Processors which he operated with his family until retiring in 1992. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. In his free time, Shorty enjoyed fishing, gardening, canning, cooking and spending time witn his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Joan; three daughters, Wendy J. (Tom) Goebel, Key West, FL, Terese Straw, New Hampton and Lynn (Roger) Haugen, Fredericksburg; three grandsons and two sisters, Vivian Volker and Vera Bunger, both of New Hampton.

Preceding him in death were his parents and two brothers, Earl and Dale Straw.

Source: New Hampton Tribune; June 28, 2002 Page 4
from Elma library collection assembled by Marian (Marr) McGee
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