Merl A. Pruett

Merl A. Pruett, age 85 of Cherokee, IA, passed away Thursday, March 07, 2024, at Careage Hills in Cherokee, IA. Memorial services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Monday, March 18, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cherokee, IA. Pastor Jonathan Riggert will officiate. Burial will take place at Cedar Cemetery, rural Cherokee, IA. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. The Greenwood-Schubert Funeral Home in Cherokee, IA, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.greenwoodfuneral.com.

OBITUARY
Merl Pruett, age 85, went to his eternal home in the early morning hours of Thursday March 7th at Careage Hills in Cherokee, IA and will be missed by many.

Merl was born in Ida Grove and grew up in Cherokee. After college he lived and worked in other Iowa towns but returned to Cherokee in 1974 where he spent the rest of his years.

Merl was well known as a great conversationalist and was knowledgeable on a wide array of topics. He had an ability to influence others and became a successful salesman and was a natural leader.  His customers were extremely loyal as they always knew he had their best interest in mind.  Throughout his life Merl held several leadership positions in his church, on local boards and during his professional career.

Merl spent countless hours playing ball with his three boys and over the years he rarely missed one of their many hundreds of games, voicing encouragement from the stands. Sports were one of his greatest passions from his time as a young quarterback and high hurdler to just the past few months when he was attending his grandkid’s sporting events. He was a dedicated Green Bay Packer and Iowa State Cyclone fan.

Merl was a dog lover and the loss of one could only be repaired by another. Porky, Pepper, Pepsi, Rusty, Kitty, and Mocha also knew him as dad.

Merl was not afraid to take a calculated risk and to push the envelope with creative and unique ideas. He would often say “you don’t know if you don’t try.” Building the first hog confinement unit in Cherokee County and later creating his own seed brand are just a couple examples of his entrepreneurial spirit.

Merl’s encouraging light-hearted personality and his sincere interest in others will be greatly missed by his wife, his sons, his grandchildren, his extended family and his many friends on earth, but heaven has gained a cheerful, humble and dedicated servant.

Merl is survived by his wife Barb of nearly 62 years, his brother Bob Pruett (Bonnie), his sister Jan Pineda (Dick), his son Mike Pruett (Maureen), his son Matt Pruett, his son Mitch Pruett (Mikaela), his grandchildren Jacob Pruett, Jenny Braaten (Jake), Nolan Pruett, Taylor Marquez (Charlie), Cael Pruett, Ava Pruett, Jaeris Pruett, Michael Pruett, Caroline Pruett, Charlie Pruett, and Wesley Pruett and his great grandchildren Sophia Braaten and Juliana Marquez. He is preceded in death by his parents Clyde and Lorene Pruett.