Merlin Burda, age 87, of Twin Valley, MN, died Thursday, July 19, 2018, at the Twin Valley Living Center.

Merlin E. Burda was born the son of Bernard and Pearl (Irish) Burda on October 9, 1930 near Primrose, Nebraska. At the age of ten, he moved with his family to a farm near Ulen, MN.  He attended school at the Ulen School and graduated with the Class of 1948. Following graduation, he worked with his father on the farm and served in the Army National Guard. In 1951, he was called up to active duty in the United States Army where he served in Korea. Shortly after his discharge in 1952, Merlin was united in marriage to Elizabeth Booth in Moorhead, MN. They made their home in Moorhead while he attended school for auto mechanics. After he completed his education, the couple moved to Page, ND where Merlin was employed at the Ford Dealership. They returned to the Fargo community after a short time where he taught auto mechanics at the Hanson Auto Mechanic School. In 1957, they moved to Hoyt Lakes, MN where he was employed in the mines until 1963. Merlin and Betty moved to California with their family for the next six years where he continued to work as a mechanic. In 1969, he and his family returned to the Ulen Community where Merlin worked at several different jobs to provide for Betty and their children, including at the elevator, as a truck driver, and for the county mowing ditches. Merlin became a mechanic at American Crystal Sugar in Moorhead, a position he held until his retirement in the late 1990's. After retirement, they moved to Sterling, IL for six years to be near Illinois family. In 2002, they moved to Twin Valley to be closer to family, in which they lived in until April 2018 when Merlin became a resident the Twin Valley Living Center.

Fishing and camping in their trailer were two of Merlin's favorite pastimes. In later years, he became an avid wood carver and enjoyed gardening. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.

Merlin is survived by his wife of 65 years, Betty; two daughters, Glenda (Joe) Rikhus of Ulen, MN and Teresa (Kim) Lofgren of Sterling, IL; three sons, Kent (Donna) of Twin Valley, MN, Joel (Jan) of Coon Rapids, MN, and Greg (Linda) of Sterling, IL; two sisters, Doris Jacobson of Detroit Lakes, MN and Alvera (Harold) Mastin of Virginia, MN; ten grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Pearl; one grandson, Christopher; and two brothers, Kenneth and Edward.

Funeral services will be held Monday, July 23 at 11:00 AM in the St. William Catholic Church, Twin Valley, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial with Military Honors will take place at St. William Catholic Cemetery following the funeral service.