Kenneth L. Mergen, 86, of Grinnell, IA passed away on January 2, 2025, at St. Francis Manor in Grinnell, IA.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 am on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Grinnell, IA. A luncheon will immediately follow the service at Immanuel Lutheran Church.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Monday, January 6, 2025, at Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell, IA.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made payable to Immanuel Lutheran Church, mailed in c/o Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112.

Ken was born on August 2, 1938, to Michael and Esther (Higley) Mergen in Whittemore, IA. He grew up in Whittemore alongside his three brothers, Clem, Don and Pat. Kenneth graduated from the Presentation Academy in Whittemore in 1956.

On August 8, 1959, Kenneth was united in marriage to Janice Shultz at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Whittemore. To this union the couple had three children, Keith, Kathy and Lynn.

Ken worked in sales throughout his career. He started his career in Pomeroy, IA for three years, then Northrup King in 1966, where he covered NW Iowa for 11 years. In 1977, he worked for Golden Sun Feeds in Hartley, IA, covering NW Iowa. In 1980 he took on an Assistant Sales Job with Golden Sun Feeds, then he was promoted to Plant & Sales Manager. In 1995 Golden Sun Feeds was sold to Purina, so he was transferred to a plant in Danville, IL. In his early retirement, he went to work for Sully Coop which is now KeyCoop. He retired in 2000.

Ken loved spending time with his family. He took his son's, and grandsons on yearly fishing trips in Minnesota since 2003. Before that he was going on fishing trips with his friends in Canada since the early 60s. He enjoyed playing golf. Ken was an active member at Immanuel Lutheran Church. He held positions as President of the Church Congregation, an Elder, and as Sunday School Superintendent. He was also a member of the Lions club.

Ken is survived by his wife, Jan Mergen of Grinnell, IA; his sons, Keith (Heidi) Mergen of Phoenix, AZ, and Lynn (Sharee) Mergen of Warsaw, IN; his grandchildren, Nick (Amanda) Mergen of Tiffin, IA, Katherine Mergen of Washington, D.C., Hannah Mergen of St. Louis, MO, and Matthew Mergen of St. Louis, MO; and his sisters-in-law, Carol Mergen of Sunrise Beach, MO, and Dorothy Mergen of Estherville, IA.

He is preceded by his parents, his daughter Kathy Mergen, and his brothers, Pat Mergen, Clem Mergen, and Don Mergen.