Merle Eugene Hastings

Merle Eugene Hastings, 85, of Aberdeen, SD passed away Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at his home.

Private family services will be at North Savo Cemetery, Frederick, SD at a later date.

Carlsen Funeral Home and Crematory of Aberdeen is handling arrangements. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.carlsenfh.com.

Merle E Hastings was born in Iowa Falls, IA to Robert Hastings and Lillian (Barker) Hastings on March 2, 1939. He was the youngest of four sons. In 1956 he left high school to enlist in the Army for three years following in the footsteps of his three brothers who served in WWII. He served as a Teletype Interceptor in the Philippines.

After honorable discharge from the Army he returned to Iowa Falls where he worked various jobs. He married Janice Lubbers in 1961. They were blessed with two children, son Reginald (Reggie) and daughter Angela (Angie). They later divorced.

In 1965 he moved his family to Mason City, IA for a job. In 1966 he completed his GED and attended North Iowa Area Community College where he earned an Associate Degree. Upon graduation, he moved his family to the Cedar Rapids, IA area to take a position at FMC as a drafts person working on the hydraulic components of their cranes. After leaving FMC he took a sales position selling hydraulic component parts until the company was sold and he retired in 1987.

Merle loved to dance where he met his wife Joetta Redlin. They were married in 1994 and renewed their vows in 2005. They continued to live in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, IA area until 2007 when Joetta took a position in Decorah, IA. They moved to Aberdeen, SD in 2022 to be close to family.

Merle was an avid radio controlled model airplane modeler for 65+ years. He was meticulous and a perfectionist builder and operator. Fellow modelers always admired his airplanes for his attention to details and his flying techniques. He quit flying due to his eye sight and fear of harming fellow modelers.

Merle is survived by his wife Joetta Redlin; his son Reggie (Lorie) Hastings, grandson Jordan, granddaughter Taylor (Tyler) Mosier, great grandchildren Jade, Parker and Beckett; daughter Angie (Dave) Patterson, grandson Dr. Ryan (Dr. Christine Zhang), great granddaughter Olivia; granddaughter Amanda (Bill)  Schuchman, Bill’s son Jacob; and granddaughter Kelly (Garrett) Tompkins, great grandsons, Gavin and twins Wesley and Ronan; Joetta’s daughter Michelle Redlin (David Pappone) and grandson Micah; sisters-in-law Sheryl (Edwin) Olson, Glenda (Irv) Buckman, Gail Gallagher, Elnora Hokana (Steve Halonen) and brother-in-law Curt (Merri) Hokana; and ex-wife Janice Pagan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Russell, Donald and Gerald and Joetta’s parents.

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