Obituary: Miro “Merf” Merfeld

Miro “Merf” Merfeld, of Ankeny, formerly of Hudson, passed away at Ramsey Village in  Des Moines on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. He was 84 years old.  

Born on January 9, 1941, in Lodz, Poland to Wladyslaw Bartosik and Marjanna  (Raczkowska) Bartosik, Miro's early years were influenced by being born in Europe at the  beginning of the Holocaust during World War II. After the war ended, and due to circumstances  in post-war Germany, his birth parents approved for him and his brother to travel to the United  States to make a better life. He was placed on the US Naval Ship the General W.C. Langfitt in  Bremerhaven, Germany, and arrived in New York City on September 14, 1950. Over the next  three years following his arrival, he resided at first in Jewish and then in Catholic orphanages  across New York City, Indiana, New Jersey, and finally Davenport, Iowa. It was during this  pivotal time that he found his way to the Merfeld family. Cletus and Celeste Merfeld and their  two children embraced him with love and kindness. In the spring of 1959, coinciding with  graduating from Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Fairbank, Miro obtained U.S.  citizenship on April 9, 1959, and adopted their last name.  

Merf's journey after high school started with one year at Loras College in Dubuque,  followed by enlisting in the United States Air Force on August 29, 1960, in Alexandria,  Louisiana. His service, which lasted nearly four years, was as an Admin Clerk to senior officers  as part of the 622 Air Refueling Squadron at both Lackland and England Air Force bases. He  was honorably discharged on May 1, 1964. After the military, he drove a semi-truck for a  number of months prior to gaining employment at John Deere. First at the Waterloo Foundry  and then as a machinist at the Cedar Falls Engine Works – retiring on April 30, 1996, with 30  years of service to the company.  

A serendipitous meeting at a small-town dance led Merf to the love of his life, Linda Lee  Weltzin. Their marriage on February 12, 1966, sparked a beautiful journey filled with shared  dreams and cherished moments. Together, they nurtured their family and built a loving home  first on a farm in Independence before moving to Hudson, Iowa in 1970, where they welcomed  their three children: Randy, Robyn, and Terry. Merf and Linda enjoyed watching their children  learn and grow and spent many days and nights at the Hudson schools and thereafter at UNI  and Iowa, supporting their interests in music, drama, and athletics. After Linda’s death on April  7 of 1997, Merf remarried to Marianne Huddleston on June 8, 1998, until her death on March  26, 2010.  

When he retired, Merf increased his passion around nature. He loved birding, immersing  himself in the wonders of nature and avian migration patterns. He often spent hours at George  Wyth Park, Big Woods Lake, Prairie Lakes Park, or walking the Katowski Greenbelt and was  captivated by the beauty of the birds that flitted above him. You could never find him without  two pairs of binoculars in his car to help him search for that elusive bird that he could many  a time identify first by their call. 

Gardening also became a joyful pursuit; his yard flourished with a magnificent collection  of hostas and vibrant blooms. Merf was known for his competitive spirit amongst the closest  neighbors, frequently racing them to see who could mow their lawns to a perfect finish. He  encouraged and enjoyed reading, spending Saturday mornings or weekday afternoons at the  local library with the children or by himself in later years. The joy of coffee and card games with  family, extended family, and friends brought lively banter into his life, creating unforgettable  memories.  

As a grandfather, Merf found boundless pleasure in indulging his grandchildren with  sweet treats and spontaneous outings to Dairy Queen, where laughter and messy faces were  often a must. He fostered a love that transcended generations, creating bonds that his family  will hold close to their hearts.  

Merf relocated to Mills Pond Retirement Community in Ankeny in April of 2022 to be  closer to his children. You could often find him on the third floor, enjoying doing puzzles and  conversing with fellow residents. He also enjoyed painting and recreated a picture photo of a  FL beach sunset that Robyn had taken in college, another one of Merf’s many talents. 

Merf was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Linda; his second wife, Marianne; his  parents; his son, Randy Merfeld; two brothers, Antoni Bartosik and Lyle Merfeld; and infant  sisters lost during World War II.  

He is survived by his children, Robyn (Brad) Johnson of Ankeny and Terry (Kristin)  Merfeld of Des Moines; five grandchildren, Katherine (Andrew) Wood, Lexa (Tyler Covey)  Johnson, Lauren Merfeld, Tyler Johnson, and Emily Merfeld; and one sister, Carol (Rich)  Waters.  

Friends and family are invited to celebrate Merf's life during a visitation on Friday,  November 14, 2025, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Parrott & Wood Chapel of Memories, located at  965 Home Plaza in Waterloo. A Celebration of Life will follow at 10:30 a.m., with burial  immediately after taking place at Blessing Cemetery, just south of Hudson, Iowa.  

Merf’s legacy of love, resilience, and joy will forever be remembered by all who knew  him. Memorials can be directed to the Hudson Public Library.