Kurt Merkle, age 72, Gary, MN died Saturday in the Bridges Hospital, Ada, MN.

Kurt Werner Merkle, the son of Fritz and Marie (Braun) Merkle was born February 6, 1935 in Green Meadow Township near Gary, MN. He grew up on the family farm and attended country school in that area. As a young man he lived in California and worked in construction for several years before returning to Gary, in 1960. For the next few years Kurt worked on road construction in the Fargo, ND, and Moorhead, MN areas. On March 3, 1966, he was united in marriage to Sandra Habedank at Green Meadow Lutheran Church, rural Gary. They made their home near Gary, while Kurt owned and operated his trucking business hauling mostly hay and flax straw. He then began farming and raising cattle which he continued until the time of his death.

He enjoyed the precious time he took to hunt, fish and watch football. Kurt was also an avid NASCAR fan, but the time he spent with his family was most dear to him.

Kurt is survived by his wife, Sandra of Gary: two sons, Bradley, also of Gary, and Kurt (Amy) of Shoreview, MN; his daughter, Ellen (Mike) Louismet, White Bear Lake, MN; seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brothers and one son.

Visitation will be Tuesday, July 17, 2007 from 5 PM until 7 PM at Anderson Funeral Home, Twin Valley, MN

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, July 18, 2007 in Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Mahnomen, MN, with Pastor Arvid Salvhus officiating. Lori Salvhus will be the organist with Mark Habedank and Karen Bergstrom as vocalists. Serving as pallbearers will be Dan Hollihan, Kurt Merkle, Tom Merkle, Paul Merkle, Bryan Merkle and Travis Russ. Honorary bearers will be Mike Louismet, Jason Solomonson, Russ Miller, Dean Airhart, Dale Treichel, Allen Haaland, Stanley Habedank and Steve Habedank. Interment will take place at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Twin Valley, MN.

Kurt's family wishes the memorials be designated to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mahnomen.