Obituaries
Please note: Our office relies on families, congregations, and schools to provide obituary information. If you do not see an obituary here that you believe should be shared with the district, please contact communications@ndlcms.org to notify us.
Below are obituaries from the past 6 months.
Rev. Merlin Reith, July 21, 2023
The Reverend Merlin L. Reith, pastor emeritus, Blair, Nebraska, departed this life on Friday, July 21, 2023, at the age of 84. Merlin was born on December 19, 1938, in Palmer, Kansas, the only child of Louis and Meta (Conrad) Reith. He was baptized at St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer on December 26, 1938, and later confirmed his faith in his Savior at the same church on March 28, 1951. Merlin attended elementary and secondary school in Linn, Kansas, graduating in 1956. Following high school, Merlin attended St. John’s College in Winfield, Kansas (1956-1958) and Concordia Sr. College in Ft. Wayne, Indiana (1958-1960). In preparation for the holy ministry, Merlin entered Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1960 and graduated in 1964.
Pastor Reith served six parishes during his lifelong ministry in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod: Messiah, St. Louis, Missouri (1964-1968); Trinity, Port Edwards, Wisconsin (1968-1973); Trinity, Garden City, Kansas (1973-1982); Faith, Lincoln, Nebraska (1982-1990); Zion (West), Omaha, Nebraska (1990-1996); and St. Paul, Phoenix, Arizona (1997-2004). In retirement, Merlin also offered pastoral assistance to several churches in western Iowa. Throughout his ministry, Merlin served the church-at-large in several capacities including speaker of The Lutheran Hour for three Sundays in 1980; Chairman of the Kansas District Circuit Counselors; a member of the Kansas District Board of Directors; and a charter member of the Association of Family Life Professionals, having studied under Dr. Carl Menninger at the Menninger Institute in Topeka, Kansas.
Following the passing of Merlin’s wife Eunice (née Hopmann), the Lord united Merlin and Marjorie (née Madej) in marriage on June 3, 2000. Merlin and Margie enjoyed their retirement years together in Arizona, and in Omaha and Blair, Nebraska.
He is survived by his wife Marjorie of Blair; one daughter, Sheila Franks, Lochbuie, Colorado; one son, Neil Reith, Sun Lakes, Arizona; granddaughter Meta; one stepdaughter, Lori (Ryan) Wachter, Earlham, Iowa; three stepsons, Marc (Molly) Logemann, Washington, Nebraska; Paul (Wissanee) Logemann, Bancroft, Nebraska; and Ryan (Kristi) Logemann, West Point, Nebraska; and 10 step-grandchildren, Kaylin, Haylee, Schuyler, Angel, Ryder, Asher, Boston, Baylor, Brigham, and Indy. Merlin was preceded in death by his parents and his previous wife, Eunice.
The funeral service will be held on Monday, July 31, 2023, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Gretna, Nebraska, beginning with visitation with family starting at 9:30 a.m. followed by the memorial service at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery, Omaha, Nebraska.
Condolences may be sent to Mrs. Margie Reith at Shepherd’s Village, Apt. 203, 2290 Wright Street, Blair, Nebraska 68008.