Merlin J. "Merl" Maiers

MADISON - Merlin “Merl” Maiers, age 97, of Madison, passed away on April 26, 2026, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Merl was born on October 23, 1928, in Luxemburg, Iowa, the son of Mathias and Bertha (Oberbroeckling) Maiers. He attended the Holy Trinity Catholic Schools in Luxemburg. After graduation he worked on the family farm until he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He spent most of his active duty in Korea. After his discharge he enrolled at Iowa State University (ISU) and received his Bachelor of Science degree.

On August 7, 1954, he married Verna “Vern” Schneider in Holy Cross, Iowa. They spent their first years at ISU living in Pammel Court-the student housing. After graduation, they moved to Davenport, Iowa, where he taught Industrial Education-Auto Mechanics for the public schools. He spent his summers at Stout State University earning his Master of Science degree.

In 1964 they moved to Madison, Wis., where he taught Auto Technology for Madison Area Technical College (MATC). In 1970 he was promoted to Dean of Trade and Industry. He served in that capacity until his retirement in 1990. During this time, he served on the Wisconsin Board for Vocational and Technical Education. He was also a trustee for the American Technical Education Association.

After his MATC retirement, he worked part-time for Wisconsin Technical College System Foundation. He was a very active member of St. Dennis Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus and Rolling Meadows Neighborhood Association.

Treasured times were spent with his family, barbequing, watching the Brewers, Packers and the Badgers, and playing cards. He took pride in a well-cared for lawn and vegetable garden. His workbench was never without a new project or something that needed fixing.

Merl is survived by his wife of 71 years, Verna; their three children, June (Jim) Reineke of Winona, Minn., Jeff (Julie) Maiers of DeForest, Wis., and Jan (Jim) Kirby of Mechanicsville, Va.; their eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, Caitlin (Dylan) Reineke-Russell and Bekka (Jeff) Foreman; Jamie (Mike) Maiers-Jahrling (Miles and Stella), Justin Maiers, Jessica (Aaron) Ackerman (Gavyn, Easton and Ivy); Taylor (Kevin) Kirby-Lantz; Alexis Kirby (fiancé, David Robertson) and Morgan Kirby; sisters, Eldora Pins and Pat Elliot; and sister-in-law, Darlene Schneider.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and their wives, Ralph (Grace), Jerome (Benny), John (Fran) and Gerald (Norma); two sisters and their husbands, Vern (Ray) Lucas and Julie (Ed) Ungs; brothers-in-Law, Matt Pfieler, Paul Pins, Harold Elliott, Ed Ungs and Merl Schneider; and in-laws, Ed and Marie Schneider.

A Mass of Christian Burial followed by military honors will be held at QUEEN OF APOSTLES PARISH, ST. DENNIS CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Road, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2026. A luncheon will follow at church. Burial will take place at Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Saturday.
 

A special thanks to the SSM Hospice team for their kindness and compassion during Merl’s final weeks at home.

Merl will be missed by all who knew him, but will remain in our hearts forever.

Memorials may be made to Madison College Scholarship Fund, St. Dennis Catholic Church, Wisconsin Honor Flight and SSM Hospice. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420