Alice J. Merkens, 95, Ada, Minnesota, died Wednesday, January 11, 2017, after a brief illness and surrounded by her family at Benedictine Care Community, in Ada.

Alice Johanna Sorensen was born on June 27, 1921, in Geddes, SD, the daughter of Marinus and Louise (Ericksen) Sorensen. She was baptized on September 4, 1921, at Lake Andes Lutheran Church, Lake Andes, SD. She moved with her family to Gary, MN, in 1931 and in 1935 she was confirmed at Gary Lutheran Church. Alice attended school in Gary where she graduated in 1939 from Gary High School. After graduation, she worked as nurse's aid at Bethesda Hospital in Crookston, MN.

Alice was united in marriage to Harry Merkens on January 27, 1941, at Lockhart, MN. They farmed in the Lockhart area and in 1966 bought the Lockhart grocery store and operated it for nine years. They moved to Ada in the fall of 1993. She was active with the Lockhart First English Lutheran Church Ladies' Aid, Sunday School, Lockhart Larks 4-H Club, Good Hope Homemakers Club and Ada VFW Auxiliary. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, and quilting. Harry passed away in 1998. She was a foster grandparent for Ada-Borup Public Schools from 2003 for about 10 years.

Alice is survived by her six children, Marvin (Bonnie) Merkens, Twin Valley, MN, Jerry (Brenda) Merkens, Ada, Kevin (Judy) Merkens, Hawley, MN, Audrey (Keith) Braiedy, Maple Grove, MN, Linda Merkens, Ada, Sandra (Craig) Fischbach, Denver, CO, 14 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Harry, 3 brothers; Henry, Elmer, and Vernon. 2 sisters; Edith Gullingsrud and Rose Nissen, and 2 great-grandsons; Brandon Braiedy and Lucas Fischbach.

Funeral: 10:30AM Monday, January 16, 2017, at Zion Lutheran Church, Ada, MN.

Visitation: 5:00PM to 7:00PM, with a 6:30PM prayer service on Sunday, January 15, 2017, at Fredrikson-Ganje Funeral Home, Ada.

Burial: Pleasant View Cemetery, rural Lockhart, MN.