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Merlin Lee Dale Oermanm 94, of Fremont died Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at Nye Square in Fremont.

Merlin was born to Herbert and Ruth (Hartung) Oerman on April 16, 1930, in Herman, Nebraska. He attended Vacoma District 40 School from kindergarten through 2nd grade, Immanuel Lutheran School in rural Hooper from 3rd-8th grade, New England High School in Herman, and graduated from Hooper High School in 1947.

After graduation, Merlin served in the United States Navy from 1950-1954, including a trip around the world on the U.S.S. Wasp aircraft carrier during the Korean War. He trained as Airman Prep in Jacksonville, Florida, and as Aviation Machinist Mate in Memphis, Tennessee.

He met his wife, Darlene Kollmorgen, when he was stationed at Kingsville, Texas Naval Air Station. An unexplained clerical error left Merlin off the duty roster for weeks, giving him time to spend with Darlene. Christians, however, will see the mighty hand of God in the so-called "mistake"

Merlin and Darlene were married May 30, 1953 at St. John Lutheran Church in Madison, Nebraska, and were blessed with four children. They lived on their farm between Craig and Uehling, Nebraska, for 40 years before retiring to Fremont in 1997. While living on the farm, Merlin also worked as a janitor at Logan View High School. He always found time to play sports with his children and read novels set in the old west. In later years, he enjoyed attending his grandsons' various sporting events.

He was active with the American Legion Post 196 in Uehling, VFW Post 10535 in Hooper, and served the Lord as an Elder and Treasurer of Immanuel, as well as on the Immanuel Parish School Board.

Survivors include three children: Rebecca Oerman of Truman, Minnesota; Chris Oerman (and wife, Melissa) of Lincoln; and Andrew Oerman (and wife, Kelli) of Smyrna, Tennessee; brother Bernard Oerman (and wife, Joyce) of Hooper, Nebraska; sister-in-law, Gloria Bass (and husband, Jerry) of Corpus Christi, Texas; brother-in-law, Rex Kollmorgan (and wife, Sandra) of Toledo, Ohio; many nieces and nephews; special family friends, Gene Ingalise (and wife, Suki) of Las Vegas.

Merlin and Darlene were also blessed with seven grandchildren: Haley Brown (and husband, Brian) of Yorkville, Illinois; Brady Gunnink (and wife, Gillian) of Chicago; Benjamin Gunnink (and wife, Allison) of Joliet, Illinois, Austin (and wife, Olivia) Jackson and Carson Oerman of Lincoln, Nebraska; and Jaylen Ricks of Omaha; and six great-grandchildren: Isabella, Piper and Paige Brown, Iris and Grayson Gunnink; and Beckett Oerman.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Darlene; parents; infant brother, Mauricee; daughter, Shauna Gunnink; son-in-law, Eric Gunnink; parents-in-law, Theodore and Dorothea Kollmorgen; sister Ione (and husband Marvin) Hoeneman; and sister-in-law Gaylia (and husband, Robert) Hamilton.

Memorials are suggested to Lutherans for Life.

Ludvigsen Mortuary, Fremont, Hooper, Scribner.

Merlin L. Oerman

April 16, Herman, Nebraska ~ July 31, Fremont, Nebraska

Funeral Service 10am Thursday August 8, 2024 Immanuel Lutheran Church Rural Hooper, Nebraska. Officiating Clergy, Rev. Stuart Freese. Music: Congregational Hymns: "Children of the Heavenly Father", "Great Is Thy Faithfulness", "When Peace Like A River" Terri Hoeneman, Organist

Pallbearers: Brady Gunnink, Benjamin Gunnink, Austin Oerman, Jackson Oerman, Carson Oerman, Brian Brown, Haley Brown, Jaylen Ricks

Committal Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Rural Hooper, Nebraska

Military Honors: Hooper VFW Post 10535 & Uehling American Legion Post 196

~~~obituary and funeral leaflet courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings and leaflets on file in the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska ~~~

FindaGrave #273202850