Magda Merbach

Magda Merbach, beloved daughter, wife, mother and friend, quietly passed away at the age of 103 at her home, surrounded by her loved ones as she slipped away from this earth. Throughout her life, Magda had adventures, shared love and created a home and family, far from where she grew up.

Magda’s life began in Vienna, Austria in 1919, where she lived and attended school up to the 8th grade. She excelled at her studies and was at the top of her class, year after year. Magda courageously held her own and kept safe with family while WWII raged throughout her homeland and the world. Not all of her friends survived Hitler’s fascist invasion. But after the war, during the occupation, Magda met the love of a lifetime: her future husband, American Marvin Merbach, who courted mom until she fell in love and said “ yes” when he proposed nearly a year later. She flew to the U.S. to meet him and get married. Together, they had five children, and created homes in Minnesota, Nebraska and Iowa. Another lifetime dream was to come true years later when mom tested out of her high school GED and received her diploma. This allowed her to continue on to college at the University of Northern Iowa, where she graduated with high honors. Magda received her BA, majoring in German, Humanities and History in 1987. Magda also completed another lifelong dream: to study at the University of Vienna, which she did in the summer of 1986.

Magda and her husband Marvin would have celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary in November of 1994, but Marvin passed away August 27. Magda and Marvin had five children: Evelyn Berglund (deceased); and is survived by daughter Nancy Merbach, son Doug Merbach, daughter in-law Becky Miller, daughter Diane Cabrera, son in-law Adam Cabrera, grandson Adam Cabrera Jr., granddaughter Mara Cabrera, and daughter Teri Merbach.

Magda was a devout Christian, and participated in many church activities throughout her life: teaching Bethel Bible classes, teaching Sunday school, singing in the choir, and participating in church governance. She was also a lifelong supporter and volunteer at the American Red Cross, volunteer at Allen Hospital, and volunteer as proctor at Waterloo Center for the Arts.

She will be greatly missed by friends and family who knew and loved her well. She was smart, beautiful, charming and generous. She was very much loved, and now she’s our Angel in heaven.