Obituary of Merle Mangus

View Video Tribute Merle Ray Mangus passed from this world on Friday, September 21, 2007, at University of Colorado Hospital in Denver, from complications following a lung transplant. Merle was born on July 13, 1947, to Glenn and Nola (Brooks) Mangus in Goodland, KS. The family lived southwest of Kanorado, south of Ruleton, and southeast of Burlington before settling in Burlington in 1957. Merle grew up in Burlington and attended Burlington High School, where he was involved in FFA, graduating in1965. As a child, Merle dreamed of being in the Navy – even writing a high school term paper on the idea. Two months after graduation, he joined the Navy, where he served as a fireman aboard the USS Oklahoma City. He was stationed and his ship docked in San Diego. His ports of call on his tour included Japan, Okinawa, and The Philippines. Merle met Wanda Coffey of Fremont, CA in May of 1967. They were married in October of the same year. When his tour of duty was over and he was honorably discharged in July 1968, the young couple moved to Burlington, where they had their first child, Jeffrey Allen, on August 12, 1968. Their second child, Kraig Eugene, was born in Burlington on June 22, 1971. Merle worked for People’s Natural Gas in Burlington until August of 1971, when the family moved to Denver and Merle became a member of the sheet metal worker’s union. After the death of Merle’s father Glenn in 1976, they returned to Burlington. He worked a few jobs before starting work at Hitchcock Incorporated in 1977, where he learned the trade that would be his for the rest of his life. Merle worked at Hitchcock’s for 9 years, and then he went to work for Ray Richards, continuing sprinkler repair. He worked there until 1994 when Richards closed and he began Mangus Irrigation. In 1995, he became a Zimmatic Dealership. In 2004, due to his health and the effects of the Colorado drought, Mangus Irrigation closed, but Merle continued to do some sprinkler work clear up to his death. During these years of work, Merle fulfilled a lifelong dream of being a farmer. In 1989, he and Wanda bought a 320-acre spread northeast of Burlington. He had a small cow/calf operation and farmed 160 acres, growing wheat and feed. Merle really enjoyed being in the tractor and raising the cattle. In 2003, Merle and Wanda were forced to move back to town due to his health. Merle’s greatest love was his family and especially his five grandkids. He loved to hunt and watch PBR bull riding. He also liked to play horseshoes, especially at the Memorial Day family reunions. Merle and Wanda attended Evangelical Free Church in Burlington. He was preceded in death by his father Glenn; stepfather Kack Hoppe; father-in-law James Coffey; three brothers-in-law; two uncles; and one aunt. Merle is survived by wife Wanda; two sons and daughters-in-law Jeff of Burlington and Korena of Flagler and Kraig and Mindy of Grand Island, NE; five grandchildren, Alyssa and Travis of Grand Island and Parker, Pryce, and Paxtyn of Flagler; his mother Nola Mangus of Burlington; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Jerry and Cindy of Burlington and Kenny and Shelly of Abilene, KS; one sister, Rita Coonts of Cheyenne, WY; mother-in-law, Muriel Coffey of Cleveland, TN; three sisters-in-law, Barb and Don McCune of Aurora, Anita Day of Catoosa, OK, and Ella Mae and Dennis Carson of Cleveland, TN; one brother-in-law, Larry and Jackie Coffey of Cottonwood, CA; and many, many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Memorial services for Merle will be held on Thursday, September 27, 2007 at 10:00 AM at the First St. Paul's Lutheran Church with Pastor Ron Lee officiating. Merle’s body was cremated, and following the memorial service there will be a private inurnment in the Kanorado Cemetery, Kanorado, Kansas. Memorials may be made in Merle's name to The Lung Connection and may be left at the Bank of Burlington, Burlington, Colorado.