Merrill Walz, age 89 of Moorhead, MN, formerly of Mahnomen, MN, died Saturday, February 14, 2009, at MeritCare Palliative Care Unit in Fargo, ND.

Merrill John Walz, the son of Frank and Elizabeth (Schwegman) Walz was born on February 28, 1919, at home in Lake Grove Township near Waubun, MN. He grew up on the family farm and attended Adam's Country School in that area. Merrill and his brother, Ralph, worked with their father on the farm. In 1962, they purchased the farm from their father. During those years, they were grain farmers and had milk cows, beef cattle, hogs and chickens. They sold the farm in 1995.

Merrill was united in marriage to Rosemary Ahmann on September 6, 1975, at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Mahnomen. They made their home in Mahnomen while Merrill still farmed near Waubun. In October of 2007, they moved to Moorhead.

Merrill was a member of St. Ann's Catholic Church, Waubun, until 1975 when he became a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church, Mahnomen, and most recently was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Moorhead. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Mahnomen Council #2573 and a 4th Degree of the Knights of Columbus Bishop Francis J. Schenk Assembly, Moorhead. He was a past member of the Eagles and the Farmers Union.

He enjoyed bowling at the K.C. Lanes, dancing and playing cards with his family and friends. Over the years, Merrill and Rosemary also enjoyed cruises to the Caribbean, Panama Canal, and Alaska plus trips to Hawaii, Branson, Texas, Florida, Branson and Washington state with family members.

Merrill is survived by his wife, Rosemary of Moorhead; two sisters, Lillian Winter of Moorhead and Betty (Ed) Schneider of Sauk Centre, MN; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Walz of Mahnomen and Josephine Walz of St. Cloud, MN; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: Harold, Lanwald "Lindy" and Ralph, and one sister, Alvira Ommodt.

Mass of Christian burial will be held Friday, February 20, 2009 at 2 pm at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Mahnomen, with Father Rick Lambert and Msgr. Michael Foltz presiding.

Visitation will be held Thursday, February 19th from 5-7 pm with a prayer service and rosary at 6 pm at St. Michael's Catholic Church.

Serving as pallbearers will be Dale Walz, Sharon Evans, Troy Winter, Robert Walz, Steve Schneider and Joe Rock. Honorary bearers are the Knights of Columbus mahnomen Council #2573 and the 4th Degree.

Interment will be in the St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery, Mahnomen.