On Tuesday, October 25, 2016 at Hennepin County Medical Center, with his family present at his side, Merlin Leroy Rockow, age 75, passed away unexpectedly due to a recent fall. He was a resident of Shakopee, formerly of Prior Lake, MN.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, October 29 at 11 am, with a visitation two hours prior, all at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church 5634 Luther Road SE, Prior Lake, MN. The Reverend Bruce Laabs will preside and the Prior Lake V.F.W. Post 6208 Honor Guard will provide full military honors. Pallbearers will be Jeff Rockow, Chad Rockow, Brad Rockow, Shane Rockow, Josh Albright and George Lyndahl. Merlin will be laid to rest at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN, on Monday, October 31, 2016 at 10:05 am. Memorial are preferred and will be distributed in Merlin’s memory by the family. A special thank you is extended to the Hennepin County Medical Center Trauma Center for their care and compassion of Merlin and the family.
On September 21, 1941 in Forest City, Iowa, Merlin was born the second of five children to Harold and Norma (Wille) Rockow. He grew up on the family farm in Garner, Iowa, with his siblings, Ilene, Daryl, Elwyn and Ardell. Here, they tended to the crops and spent countless hours raising hogs and dairy cattle.
Graduating from Garner High School in 1959, Merlin headed north to Mankato, MN, where he furthered his education as a computer programmer. Completing his education, Merlin enlisted in the United States Army, serving from January 14, 1964 to January 13, 1966. Stationed in Fort McClellan, Alabama, Merlin received the Good Conduct Medal and an Expert Rifleman Medal. Head of his times in the computer industries, he spent 15 years of his career with Minnesota Rubber Industries as a computer programmer. Eventually, Merlin was laid off. It was around a year later, he began working for the Prior Lake School District. Merlin was adored by fellow staff (mostly the women), as he delivered the mail and school meals to the different buildings. For the next 10 years, Merlin treasured their interaction. Due to the onset of some health issues, he retired at the age of 65.
Through mutual friends, Merlin was introduced to Judy Snell. They started dating and on November 14, 1987, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Prior Lake, Merlin and Judy exchanged wedding vows. At the same time, he welcomed her two sons, Vernon and Eric into his life. Over the years, the family has enjoyed spending time at the cabin near Richmond, MN. Here, Merlin was able to enjoy his favorite past time of fishing and later teaching his grandchildren the sport of fishing.
An avid sport euthasist, Merlin enjoyed cheering on the Minnesota Gophers and Twin, and must not forget the Iowa college teams. In his earlier years, Merlin enjoyed road trips watching the Minnesota North Stars, with his best friend George Lyndahl. When these two were together, it meant good times and often found themselves in a little mischief. Over the years, Merlin loved to deer hunt, work on cars and drive his late 60’s Sting Ray Corvette.
Merlin was genuinely kind, had patience of a saint and this calming character. He had this dry sense of humor that everyone loved. Merlin was never in a hurry, with his laid back personality.
Left to honor Merlin’s life and mourn the death is his wife, Judy; sons, Vernon (Kristine) Wood, Eric (Tracy) Bettermann; grandchildren, Lexi Bettermann, Paige Bettermann, Josie Bettermann; siblings, Ilene Johnson, Daryl (Mary Jane) Rockow, Elwyn (Barbara) Rockow; his companion dog, Ajay; many relatives and friends.
There to welcome Merlin in heaven was his parents, Harold and Norma; brother, Ardell Rockow; brother-in-law, Jim Johnson.
