Merwin Roeder

Merwin G. Roeder, 82 of Kearney, passed away Monday, July 2, 2012 at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Funeral Services will be 9:30 A.M. Saturday, July 7, 2012 at the Kearney First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Gary Main officiating. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Friday at the O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home of Kearney and one hour prior to the service at the church. A Memorial Service and Interment will be held at Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery in Lincoln at 12:30 P.M. on Monday, July 9, 2012. Memorials are suggested to the Kearney First United Methodist Church, Mahoney State Park and the American Diabetes Association. Online condolences or personal reflections may be submitted www.osrfh.com O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Merwin G. Roeder was born October 31, 1929 in Emerald, Nebraska to Garry and Sylvia (Swale) Roeder. He graduated from Hickman High School in 1946. Merwin attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln before earning his Master and Doctorate at the University of Minnesota. He served in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in May of 1953. On April 16, 1954 Merwin was united in marriage to Donna M. Tombling in Bennett, Nebraska. He was employed as a Professor of Physical Education at the University of South Dakota and the University of Nebraska-Kearney retiring in 1995 after 31 years. Merwin was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Life member of the National Education Association, National Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, the Phi Epsilon Kappa fraternity and served as past secretary of the Kearney Men's Bowling Association. Merwin enjoyed traveling with his family, camping, bowling and watching sporting events. He was a High School Volleyball Official for over 10 years. Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 58 years, Donna Roeder of Kearney; son, Tobin Roeder and wife, Dixie of Kearney; daughter, Jeri Roeder Schneider and husband, Rick Schneider of Lincoln; grandchildren, Adam, Regan and Rylee Schneider; 7 step grandchildren; 14 step great grandchildren; sister, Letha Steinauer of Mason City, IA; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Shirley and Jean Swift of Lincoln; nieces, Tracy Thompson, Kerry Balk and Louayne Hoback; nephew, Tim Steinauer and wife Monica. Merwin was preceded in death by his parents.

Merwin Roeder

October 31, 1929 - July 2, 2012