A funeral Mass for Merle Laubenthal will be held Tuesday, April 27, 2021, at 10:30 AM, at St. Cecelia Catholic Church in Algona. The service will be live streamed on the Five Saints Catholic Community YouTube page. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JO9htcqLh0E Masks will be required at the Funeral Mass. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery with military honors provided by the Whittemore American Legion. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 PM Monday at Oakcrest Funeral Services of Algona. Memorials may be directed to Bishop Garrigan Schools in memory of Merle (www.bishopgarrigan.org).
Merle Charles Laubenthal was born July 11, 1934, on the family farm near Whittemore, son of Andrew and Helen (Kollasch) Laubenthal. He attended school in St. Joe graduating in 1952. He worked on the family farm until serving in the United States Army from 1955 to 1957.
Merle was married to Virginia "Jeanie" Bormann on April 23, 1958, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. He returned to farming raising cattle and hogs. In earlier years, Merle and Jeanie enjoyed dancing at the Plantation. They also spent their summers camping at Spirit Lake and the Dakotas. He enjoyed playing card games such as 500, Euchre, Rummy, and Cribbage. Merle loved working along side his two sons on the farm.
Merle was a member and active in the Pork Producers and the St. Michael's Holy Name Society. He served on the Algona School Board, was a parish director of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Whittemore and was a 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. Following moving into Algona, they became members of St. Cecelia Catholic Church in Algona.
Merle C. Laubenthal died Thursday, April 22, 2021, at the Good Samaritan Society, Algona, at the age of 86.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jeanie Laubenthal of Algona; six children and 13 grandchildren; Anne (Earl Rollinger) Laubenthal of Marshalltown, Alan (Sandra) Laubenthal and their children, Aric and Nick of Whittemore, Amy (Mark) Gallagher and their children Gavin, Noelle, and Will of Johnston, Ava (Matthew) Allen and their children Caleb, Declan, and Reese of Naperville, IL, Anita (Jay) Benton and their children Jack, Drew, and Annie of Naperville, IL, and Andrew (Mindy) Laubenthal and their children Kaya and Layne of Algona. He is also survived by a sister, Regina Kaiser of Algona; a sister-in-law, Marguerite Laubenthal of Algona; a brother-in-law, Glen Gindling of Waterloo; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Irma Gindling and Imelda Krieger; and a brother, Maurice Laubenthal.
Tributes
Mark J.VonBank wrote on Apr 25, 2021:
"my heartfelt prayers to the Laubenthal families on your loss. May the light of Christ continue to shine in Merle from the heavens above and may this candle be shining brightly too. My Heartfelt Prayers and Love, Mark J.VonBank-Park Rapids, Mn.-[formerly of Algona, Iowa]."
Luke Kollasch wrote on Apr 24, 2021:
"Merle was my Dads first cousin, after Dad passed , Merle was available to me for Laubenthal History Lessons ! God Bless the entire Laubenthal Family . Luke Kollasch "
Cyril and Darlene wrote on Apr 23, 2021:
"Jeanie and family. We?ve been friends of you and your family for a lot of years, Being neighbors in Crawfish Bottom. Spent LOTS of time together vacationing, playing cards and being there for each other when needed. We will miss Merle But Have so many good memories of the times together.
God bless you all at this special time.
Hope he realizes the card playing competition is going to be a lot tougher up there then it was here. "
Tom Erpelding wrote on Apr 23, 2021:
"To all the Laubenthal family sorry to hear about your husband and Dad my prayers and sympathy go out to your family my Dad passed away on April 22nd five years ago so what a coincidence it is the same day. So Now your Dad is in heaven with my Dad."
Kris Laubenthal wrote on Apr 22, 2021:
"RIP Uncle Merle....prayers to Jeanie and family"