- Date Of Birth: March 29, 1937
- Date Of Death: June 2, 2022
- State: Nebraska
Obit Merlen Ray Schnakenberg-85 of Deshler, NE
Merlen Ray Schnakenberg, son of George and Edna (Getz) Schnakenberg was born March 29, 1937 in Sedan, Nuckolls County, NE. He was the fifth of eight children to this marriage, with only a sister and two brothers entering life and establishing the family. He was baptized on April 11th, 1937 by Pastor L. Ernst and confirmed on March 18th, 1951 by Pastor C.G. Stockamp at St. Peters Lutheran Church in Davenport, NE. Merlen departed this life on Thursday June 2, 2022 at the age of 85 years, 2 months and 3 days.
Merlen grew up in Sedan NE, attending and graduating K-8th school from St. Peters Lutheran Church and then graduating from Davenport High School in the class of 1955. Upon graduating, Merlen enlisted into the military but a knee complication denied his admission. He worked for various farmers in the area, drove truck hauling cattle to Omaha and St. Joseph stockyards, and Bergt Bros. Sand & Gravel Company.
On October 21, 1962, Merlen was united in marriage with Rosemary (Elvers) Bartling and became a family with her three children; Nicky (’58), Daniel (’59) and Kristine Bartling (’61).
Retirement was full of trips to watch his grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow up. He enjoyed road trips, being the narrator for who lived there or what was relevant about the location. Many stories about his youthful years were told involving the train that he rode to and from school in Davenport. He recalled the blizzard of 1949 and not losing a single chick when the chicken brooder house was completely buried under snow. In high school he participated in track, played basketball and excelled in football and was proud that Davenport beat Deshler his senior season.
Merlen was preceded in death by his parents George and Edna. Rose, his wife, of 53 years. Sister Leela Mae Crockett and husband David. Sisters-in-law; JoAnn Schnakenberg and Elvira Schnakenberg. Grandson Taylor Bartling. Nephew David “Dick” Crockett and nieces: Linda (Crockett) Faulk, Michelle (Schnakenberg) Hale and Terrie (Anderson) Pester.
He is survived by his three sons: Nicky Bartling of Deshler, NE; Daniel Bartling and wife Jill of Aurora, NE; and Jamie Schnakenberg and wife Kim of Wahoo, NE. Four daughters: Kristine Ellingson and husband Mike of Crete, NE; Shelly Schnakenberg of Phillips, NE; Jodi Else and husband Bob of Belvidere, NE; Jani Cottam and husband Kevin of Hebron, NE. Fourteen grandchildren: Natasha Ellingson of Crete; Sarah and Jon Zarnick of Lincoln; Eric Ellingson of Springfield; Jessie and Josh McBride of Maxwell; Trevor and Stephanie Bartling of Omaha; Pierce and June Bartling of China; Seth Schnakenberg of Omaha; Spenser and Jessica Else of Belvidere; Ethan Hudson of Newman Grove; Sydney Cottam of Hebron; Cambrie Cottam and special friend Zerron of Kearney; Josie Schnakenberg and finance, Tanner of Omaha; Jaclyn Schnakenberg of Omaha, Jonas Schnakenberg of Wahoo and ten great-grandchildren. Two brothers: Harlan Schnakenberg of Deshler; and Larry Schnakenberg and wife Grace of Tucson, AZ. In-laws: Berta Lomax and husband Wayne of Crete; Roger Elvers and wife Debbie Jo of Auburn, CA; Don Elvers and finance Terri of Wichita, KS. He was Uncle Mert to many.
