Merle A. Negus

Kingsley, Iowa

Merle A. Negus of Kingsley, Iowa passed away on Monday, January 12, 2026. His memorial service will be at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at R.L. Johannsen Community Center in Sutherland, Iowa with Pastor Mike Cooper, officiating

Burial will be at Waterman Cemetery in Sutherland

Arrangements are under the care of the Eldridge Family Funeral Home in Paullina.

Merle Aaron Negus, 86, of Kingsley, IA, passed away on January 12, 2026 in Sioux City.

Merle was born in Hartley, IA, on June 12, 1939. He graduated from Sutherland High School and united in marriage with Diane Lohff in 1958. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary shortly before Diane’s passing in 2024. Through the years, they lived in Sutherland, Rock Valley, Primghar, and Kingsley, IA, and wintered in Mesa, AZ.

Merle worked for Midwest Breeders before his long-term career at Iowa Public Service/MidAmerican Energy. He took early retirement as the area manager for the gas division and then worked as City Manager of Primghar, Iowa until his full retirement.

Merle was one of the kindest people you could ever meet. He never spoke a bad word about anyone; if something struck him as amusing, the most you’d hear is a quiet chuckle. He had a gentle spirit that made people feel at ease just being around him. In his younger years, he was a standout in high school – an accomplished multi-sport athlete and voted homecoming king- but he never let his accolades define him. His humility, kindness, and steady presence were what truly set him apart.

Brilliant in ways that mattered most, he never needed a computer to understand the world. His mind was sharp, his judgement sound and his wisdom earned from a lifetime of observation and experience – and reading the newspaper.

Merle and Diane spent much time with wonderful friends in Rock Valley, in Mesa and of course, on the golf course. His claim to fame was that he never received a speeding ticket in his life. If you ever rode with him as a passenger, you would not question this.

Left to cherish Merle’s memory are his children, Lisa, Lori (Tom), Joel (Leasa), Julie (Paul), and Angie. He has four grandchildren, Logan, Jasmine, Zac, and Ali, and four great-grandchildren: Andrew, Hayden, Asher, and Lyla. Siblings: Donna Dighton and Dave Negus. He was preceded in death by his parents, Orsen and Elsie Negus, Siblings: Helen Selk, James Negus, Roger Negus, Robert Negus, Shirley Baier, Janet Negus and Margie Negus.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 31, at 2pm at the Sutherland, IA Community Center.