Merle Richard Robinson, age 93, of Forest City passed away on December 31, 2025 at the Good Samaritan Center in Forest City. He had been a resident of the Care Center for the past few months. He will be cremated, and the family will be having a celebration of his life in the Spring of 2026 at Rose Hill Cemetery in Thompson.
Merle, the son of LeRoy and Gladys (Gjerde) Robinson, was born on August 9, 1932 in rural Winnebago County. He was the second born in a family of two boys and two girls. He attended country school (Linden #5) through the 8th grade and graduated in 1950 from Thompson High School. Farming with his father followed graduation, but in 1952 he enlisted in the United States Army during the Korean War. Basic Training took place at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. Upon completion, he was sent to Fairbanks, Alaska and worked as a lineman, specializing in communications.
On June 30, 1953 he married his high school sweetheart, Marjorie Jordahl. On June 8, 1954 Jeff and Mark were born at Ladd Air Force Base in Alaska. Their third son, John, was born in 1956 in Forest City, and their youngest child, James, was also born in Forest City, in 1967.
Following a 2-year commitment in Alaska, Merle and his family returned to Iowa, continuing his love of farming with his father. In the early 1970s, Merle purchased the family farm and would go on to live there the entire rest of his life. Even in his retirement years, Merle enjoyed working for neighbors during the busy harvest season.
Merle served on various community boards – church board, elevator board, Lions Club, and was a VFW Member. He enjoyed his annual fishing trips to Minnesota and Canada with friends and family, as well as all of the winter trips to Arizona with Marjorie and friends. He and other local residents helped build the Thompson swimming pool and a grocery/convenience store – “Hometown Market.”
Merle is survived by his wife, Marjorie; his sons, Mark (Cindy) of Blooming Prairie, MN, John of Forest City, and James (Gail) of Carrollton, TX; daughter-in-law, Kathy Robinson of Thompson; six grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Lee (Cathy) Robinson of Lake Havasu City, AZ. Merle was preceded in death by his parents; his son Jeff; and his siblings and their spouses.
The family is truly grateful for the care and compassion he received from the Forest City Good Samaritan Center.
