Merle Frederick Wratislaw

Merle Frederick Wratislaw of Dallas, Texas passed away at the age of 93 on Friday, July 8, 2022. He was a resident of Presbyterian Village North in Dallas, Texas. There he served as president of the Residents Association and presented a monthly current events program.

Merle Frederick Wratislaw was born on February 24, 1929, to Ella Francis and Albert Merle Wratislaw in Waterloo, Iowa. He was a graduate of Waterloo West High School, where he lettered in football and track. He also played alto saxophone in the school band and local dance bands. He attended the University of Iowa, was a member of Delta Chi fraternity, and after working with his father-in-law in the family furniture business for 15 years, returned to the University of Iowa and obtained a degree in business. Merle became a Vice President of Marketing with Service Master of Downers Grove, Illinois. After completing a 20-year career with Service Master, he retired to pursue his love of travel.  He was an expert power boat operator and enjoyed boating on the lakes and rivers of Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin with his family.

Merle met and began dating Lovelle Marie Selzer when they were 14 years old. They were married June 26, 1949, in Waterloo, Iowa and celebrated 72 years of marriage in 2021. Merle loved his wife most of all and is now rejoined with her after her passing on December 6, 2021. Merle is survived by his two sons, Fred Wratislaw, and his wife Faye, and David Wratislaw Sr. and his wife Mary; grandchildren Kimberly Pondrom and her husband Michael, Lee Wratislaw, David Wratislaw Jr., and great grandchildren, Courtney Pondrom and Jacob Pondrom.

Merle was the last of an era where principles mattered most and commitment to family and country were unfaltering pillars of American life.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, July 30, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. in the Monie Chapel at Presbyterian Village North, 8600 Skyline Drive, Dallas, Texas 75243.