Toni Jean Merfeld

Toni Jean Fuller Merfeld, founder and former President of Metro West Learning Center (now Balance Autism Metro West) in Clive and a leader in Iowa’s special education community, died unexpectedly on May 5, 2025.

With a masters in Education from Drake University, Toni held many varied positions, first as a classroom teacher for Newton Community Schools and many years with the Des Moines Public Schools before moving up to the Heartland Area Education Agency. From there, she went on to the Iowa State Department of Education. Toni's real passion began with the establishment of the Metro West Learning Center 20 years ago, whose focus was serving families with children on the Autism Spectrum. She worked on developing and growing a center where children could receive specialized care and serviced many families from across the State of Iowa.

Toni was a teacher, advocate, mentor, and friend to so many in her professional life. She was an organizer, demonstrator, and champion for policies that lifted up children, women, and families struggling to make ends meet. In the span of a 46-year career, Toni’s work improved the lives of thousands of students with special needs and their families.

At the same time, Toni was a generous, loving, and much beloved mother, wife, daughter, sister, grandmother, and aunt. Her family could not have been prouder of her. She is deeply missed.

Toni is survived by her parents, Donald and Bernadine Fuller, husband, Tom Merfeld, sons Joseph Harrington and Andrew (Alana) Harrington, stepdaughter Samantha Merfeld, grandchildren Sydney and Miles, sisters Lynn Fuller and Melanie Nutting, as well as many nieces, nephews, and close friends.

Please join Toni's family for a celebration of her amazing life on Sunday, June 8 from 1 to 5 pm at Noce Jazz and Cabaret (a favorite of Toni's for entertainment) off downtown Des Moines at 1326 Walnut St., Des Moines, Iowa 50309. Comments from the family will occur at approximately 2:30 pm. A special song Toni requested will be played (likely more than once!) Please see nocedsm.com for a map and directions. Street parking will be available as well as the Nationwide Insurance parking ramp just east of the venue. If you would like to receive any updates for this event or just to let the family know you will be attending, follow the link (here).

Please send memorial contributions to the Autism Society of Iowa Click Here To Donate.