Merlyn W Jeche

Merlyn William Jeche, 89, of Rochester died on Saturday, May 16, 2020 at his home. Merlyn was born on May 8, 1931 in Wykoff, MN to Leonard and Elma (Schmidt) Jeche. Merlyn was the oldest of his siblings, Janice and Rodney. After high school, Merlyn farmed with his dad until volunteering for the draft and serving 2 years in Korea and Japan. On February 17, 1956 Merlyn married the love of his life, Margaret Rolfs in Burr Oak, IA. Merlyn and Margaret were blessed with two sons, Mike and Mark. As a family they enjoyed many camping trips. In 1956 he started working for IBM where he was a tool and model maker. As a designer, he published 17 invention disclosures and one patent in 1997. Merlyn retired from IBM in October of 1991. After retirement, Merlyn and Margaret wintered in Mesa, AZ for about 17 years. In Arizona, Merlyn volunteered at the Phoenix Open. Merlyn was very musical. He loved his accordian and concertina. Merlyn and Margaret enjoyed dancing whether it was square dancing or an old-time dance. Merlyn loved golf and in March of 2004 he got a hole in 1! He sure liked to rub that in to those who didn't have one. Merlyn was a member of Kiwanis Club, Korean Vets Club and the Concertina Club in New Prague. He was a volunteer at the Humane Society, Meals on Wheels and an usher at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Rochester. He enjoyed playing concertina at local nursing homes. A private family burial will be at Preston's State Veterans Cemetery. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, services will be held at a later date. Merlyn is survived by his wife, Margaret; sons, Mike of Rochester and Mark (Rebecca) of Breckenridge, CO; brother, Rodney (Rosemary); brother-in-law, Wendell Vreeman and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Janice Vreeman. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Jeche family; to share a special memory of condolence please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com