Merlin R. Hall

Merlin R. "Curly" Hall was born in Harlan, Iowa on July 9, 1927 to Ethel K. Reyelt and Merle R. Hall. His parents divorced when he was very young, and Merlin and his mom moved to Omaha to live with his maternal grandparents who ran a boarding house there. After his mother's marriage to Theodore Roosevelt Haney, the family moved to Wahoo where they purchased, and operated for many years, the Anderson Photo Studio. Merlin always considered Wahoo his home. After high school, Merlin served briefly in the Army, his enlistment was cut short by the end of World War II. He went to Luther College for a semester on the GI Bill before leaving to marry Donna Lou Thege in 1948. He was an industrious, gregarious fellow who worked at a wide variety of jobs in and around Wahoo over the years, eventually taking a position with the US Post Office. Merlin was a people-person who loved nothing more than a good chat, making friends wherever he went. The postal Service suited his gregarious nature. He was a carrier and Assistant Postmaster in Wahoo as well as holding temporary and full-time Postmaster positions in the area. He retired from the post office in 1988. He and his wife were involved with the Hilltop Country Club, not only in administrative positions, but as avid daily golfers, weather permitting. Merlin was a member of Wahoo Lodge #59 A.F. & A.M. since 1921 and earned the Jordan Medal for being the longest active member of his local lodge. He leaves two daughters: Claudia (Dr. Edward) Smith and Andie (Dr. Larry) Little; along with 6 grandchildren: Meghan, Siobhan, Eamonn (Lindsay) and Brendan (Madeline) Smith, Miles and Saffron Little. He is survived by 3 great-grandchildren: Rory Smith and Ellison and Greyson Smith. His beloved wife, Donna, preceded him in death on October 24, 2013. A memorial service will be held in the spring. Memorial donations may be made to Saunders County Lost Pets, or to a charity of one's choice.