Merlin U. Broers

Dr. M. U. Broers, 91, of Schleswig, Iowa died Friday morning, January 2, 2015, following surgery in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Born in Burr, Nebraska on November 18, 1923, Merlin was the only son of George and Dorothy (Pittman) Broers. Upon graduating from high school in Burr, Nebraska, in 1939, he attended Peru State College in Peru, Nebraska until he was called by his country. He served in the U.S. Army in World War II, in the European Theater, in the Medical Corps, and he was the lead singer in his army band. His unit landed on Omaha Beach on 'D-3' and advanced to Berlin. He returned to the States a decorated hero, having been awarded the Purple Heart.

The following year, he met the girl of his dreams at a dance -- She became his dancing partner for life. Merlin Broers and Anna Belle Buethe were married in Tecumseh, Nebraska, on June 12, 1947. They made their first home in Omaha until his graduation from the University of Nebraska Medical School in 1950. After his one-year residency in Sioux City, they made their permanent home in Schleswig, Iowa. 1950-55 saw the births of his four children, and now DOCTOR Broers set out to make that little town the kind of place, where his family could grow and thrive. His efforts helped solicit bequeaths and to pass bond issues to raise funds to improve the library, to build a new elementary school, to build a municipal swimming pool, and to establish a golf club.

He had a strong voice, and was a long-time member of a Barbershop Quartet. Through the 1960s, he organized and produced 'town shows' he named "SCHLESFEST," which showcased local talent at the yearly town celebration. His favorite song for Karaoke was "New York, New York" and he recorded himself singing many of Frank Sinatra's biggest hits and distributed it on CD during his 80s. He was a huge sports fan, a Nebraska fan, yes, but also a high school football fan, rarely did he miss a Schleswig Hawks game. He was a long time member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Schleswig, and he served in many capacities through the years, including Choir Director.

With his fishing buddies, the doctor took canoe trips into Canada many times through the years. There were several motor boats -- pulling surfboards, tubes, water skis and slaloms. He and Ann embraced snow skiing in the 1970s, and they kept a second home for a while in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. And he loved to golf! - He was a founding member of the Schleswig Golf Club, and won his share of trophies, both individually and with his Ann as a couple. They also loved to play cards -- bridge, gin rummy, cribbage -- He retires the reigning family Cribbage champion. He was an active guy and had natural talent in many games, exhibiting phenomenal skills in ping pong, bowling, darts, and billiards, just to name a few.

He practiced medicine as a General Practitioner for 39 years in Schleswig, Iowa. He was named President of the Iowa Academy of Family Practice the year before he retired. He loved his work, and had many hobbies; he was never bored. When his children were young, he built entire fantasy lands of paper mache for electric trains to run through. He designed driftwood centerpieces; he made trees; he flocked Christmas trees. He was a vintner for many years, and he designed and built stained-glass windows for almost everyone he knew. He enjoyed retirement, with his beloved Ann, for some twenty years, as they traveled widely, visiting far-away destinations including Australia, Europe, and Hawaii (a couple of times).

Merlin was preceded in death by his parents, by a sister Margaret Jean (who died at 2 years old) and by his beloved wife, Anna Belle, who passed on only 368 days before.

He is survived by his four children: Craig (Rene); Deborah (Gary); Scott (Kathy); and Barbara (Craig)..

... by his eleven grandchildren: Jeffrey (Marcy), Jeremy (Candace), and Gina (Misha); Pastor Steven (Kristy); Trent; Jessica (Tyler); Brooke (Dr. Dustin), Ryan (Kaitlyn); Angela Broers; Brittany; and Summer.

... by his seventeen great grandchildren: Rylan, Claire, Jace, and Connor; Carter; Sophia, Malachi, and Micah; Oliver and Jasper; Dawson, Maddux, and Gracie, Lily Anna, Brayden, and Camden, and Austin.