Roland “Smiley” Duane Mehmen, 91

Roland “Smiley” Duane Mehmen, age 91, of Parkersburg, Iowa, was born the son of Jacob and Flora (Meyer) Mehmen on July 21, 1933, rural Parkersburg, Iowa. He began his early education from a rural country school near his home and graduated from Aplington High School in 1952. Smiley was very good at various high school state tournaments. After graduation he began working at Bills Feed & Produce in Aplington and joined the United States Army National Guard. 

On April 14, 1954, Roland was united in marriage with Norma Jean Truax at the First Congregational Church in Parkersburg. They made their home in Parkersburg. In 1955 Smiley was called into active duty and served at Ft. Knox, Kentucky and overseas to Kirch-Göns , Germany, until 1957, when he was honorably discharged. Smiley worked his entire life in the feed business and owned and operated Mehmen’s Feed for 35 years, winning numerous feed Awards through the years, retiring in 2002.

Smiley was a member of the First Congregational Church serving as an usher, trustee and enjoyed playing on the church softball team.  He was a lifelong member of the Aplington AMVETS. He enjoyed collecting farm and NASCAR toys, watching the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs teams, and the Iowa Hawkeye football and basketball games.  He loved spending time with his family and taking family vacations.

Roland passed away on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at the Maple Manor Village in Aplington, of natural causes.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob and Flora Mehmen; two brothers, Derold and Kenneth Mehmen; one sister, Marilyn Roelfs; four brothers-in-law, Kenneth (Betty) Truax, David Thronson, David Rolfs and Wayne Brouwer; and two nieces and a nephew.

Roland is survived by his wife of 71 years, Norma Mehmen; one son, Jeff (Traci) Mehmen of Cedar Falls; one daughter, Janella Mehmen of Parkersburg; two grandchildren, Jeremy (Charity) Mehmen and Jody (Joe) Fisher; four great-grandchildren, Zeke, Maci, Cooper and Frank; two sisters, Betty Thronson of Ackley, and Marlene Brouwer of Aplington; three sisters-in-law, Janice Brown of Shell Rock, Judy Mehmen of Aplington, and Betty Mehmen of Hastings, NE; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at the First Congregational Church in Parkersburg.  Pastor BJ Humphrey officiated the service.  Mary Ann Simon was the organist and she accompanied the congregation as they sang “How Great Thou Art” and “The Old Rugged Cross”.  The burial was held at Oak Hill Cemetery in Parkersburg, with Jeremy Mehmen, Joe Fisher, Jason Mehmen, Danny Brouwer, Marlyn Murra and Craig Schrage serving as Casketbearers.  Honorary Casketbearers were Zeke Fisher, Maci Mehmen, Cooper Mehmen and Frank Fisher.  Military rites were conducted by Aplington AMVETS Post #102.

Visitation was held from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, at the First Congregational Church.  Memorials may be directed to Unity Point Hospice.  Online condolences may be left at www.redmanfuneral.com