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BORN
1940
DIED
2025
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Merlene DeVries Obituary
Merlene was born February 28, 1940, in Aplington, Iowa, the daughter of Merland "Merle" and Joyce Knoll. She graduated from Shell Rock High School in 1958. Later in 1958, she was united in marriage to Lloyd Raymond Hulbert. To this union two sons were born, Bart and Paul. The couple would later divorce. On May 29, 1968, she was united in marriage to John P. "Chick" DeVries in New Hampton, Iowa. They made their home mainly in the Waverly area but did spend a year in Alaska while John worked for a hospital there. Merlene worked at NAPA, Yarco Motors and Happel Construction, all in Waverly, and Standard Vending in Cedar Falls. She retired in 1995 and continued to live in Waverly. John passed away March 26, 2014.
Merlene was an active member of the local Red Hat Society and enjoyed time with her sorority group, Beta Sigma Phi. She volunteered at the Waverly Historical Society. In her free time, she could be found crafting, knitting or doing cross stitch. Along with her brother, Bob, she took a memorable trip to Scotland to explore her heritage.
Merlene is survived by her son, Bart (Norma) Hulbert of Denver, nine grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Russel Knoll of Cedar Falls, Robert (Carole) Knoll of Turtle Lake, Wisconsin, and David (Linda) Knoll of Red Wing, Minnesota. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband John, son Paul Hulbert, and a brother, Marvin Knoll.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 1-4?p.m. on Saturday, June 7, at the Waverly Senior Center. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family, and online condolences may be left at kaisercorson.com.
Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Waverly is in charge of arrangements. 319-352-1187.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Merlene DeVries
Sponsored by Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home.
1 Entry
Dixie Forry Thurm
May 10, 2025
Although I knew you from Unity church I really got acquainted with you when John was at the Denver Sunset
Home. I had been thinking about you lately.
Dixie Forry Thurm
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