Merle Dean Reiser

This is the story of Merle Dean Reiser.  Merle was a wonderful man that was loved, is missed, and will always be cherished. Our “Papa” as he was called by his grandchildren, was an amazing husband, dad, brother, son, grandpa and fixer of anything

Merle’s story starts on November 18, 1933, the oldest child to Carl and Reba (Downing) Reiser. Merle was born in Arnold, Nebraska. When Merle was little, Carl and Reba moved their family to ranch in Brownlee, Nebraska where he would spend his childhood, grow up, and make many lifelong friends. He spent his high school years in Grand Island, Nebraska and Elgin, Texas. He was very proud to be an Elgin Wildcat and often bragged about their football team.  He returned to Brownlee after high school, and would soon meet the love of his life, Mary Ann Koralewski, of Valentine, Nebraska. Merle and “Mimi” had a whirlwind romance and were married at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Valentine on August 16, 1952. Before settling down, Merle served in the US Army. Merle and Mimi spent many hardworking years on the family cattle ranch in Brownlee where they raised 6 children.

When Merle wasn’t working cattle or fixing a tractor, he loved to grill. He made the very best burgers.  He was a fabulous pitcher, and by pitcher, we mean he loved to pitch horseshoes and play 13-point pitch.

In 1983, Merle and Mary Ann moved the girls to the “big city” of Taylor, Texas.  Merle worked in cabinetry until he retired at 80 years of age.

Merle loved the outdoors. He loved hunting and fishing. He could sit for hours in a cold; dark deer stand waiting for that big buck. He shared that love with his children and grandchildren. He loved gardening. He was always so proud to show-off his harvest of tomatoes and jalapenos.

Loved ones that cleared the path for Merle are his father, Carl Reiser, and his mother, Reba Reiser.  Loved ones that will miss Merle until they meet again are his wife, Mary Ann; his sons, Robert (Mary Beth) Reiser and William (Linda) Reiser; his daughters Susan Carlson, Sherry Reiser, Mary Beth (Craig) Pinkley and Cindy Reiser; 14 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren; his brother, Larry (Norma) Reiser and sisters, Sharon (Robert) Knepper and Carolyn (Duane) Porath