Merton Turpin, age 70, of Mahnomen, MN, died Monday, March 13, 2017, at the Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home.
Merton James Turpin was born October 28, 1946, in White Earth, MN, the son of Geraldine (Villebrun) Goodwin and Clyde Turpin. As a child he grew up in Mahnomen, MN. Merton also lived in Minneapolis for a number of years before returning to Mahnomen in 2012. He attended The American Dental Academy in St. Paul, MN. Merton had a son, Matthew Elbert Larson of Minneapolis, MN, who was his pride and joy. He loved his son Matthew very much and was proud of the young man he had become. He had a lot of respect for his son and Matthew's mother Margie.
Merton was a good son, and awesome brother. He loved his family and friends very much and was very close to his brothers. He was very traditional and he did his best to respect and live his native culture.
Merton was a well-known Dental Technician in the Minnesota area. Every lab wanted his expertise in dental lab work. He worked for Udell Dental Lab for 20 years in Minneapolis, MN. The owner, Don Udell, was a good friend of Merton's. While in Minneapolis, he lived with his sister, Bobbi Rodrigues and her family; and niece, Tina Townsend and her family. He could go anywhere in the United States and get a job. He traveled to Virginia in his younger years for work. He later moved back to Mahnomen in 2012 to live with his brother, Guy Goodwin and to be with his Dad and extended family. In October 2016, he moved to the Mahnomen Nursing Home.
Merton liked fast cars and motorcycles. He enjoyed fishing, camping and liked to gamble and play cards. He also enjoyed being with his friends and family. He spent many years hanging out and having fun, laughing, drinking and partying. Especially with his close cousins Jimmy Lee Villebrun and Frank Stinson Jr, who Merton lived with for years in Minneapolis. Those two cousins could tell his family a lot of stories about his younger years. Merton was full of life. He liked living free and being outdoors. He would talk a lot about his Grandpa Goodwin's farm, and our years growing up in Mahnomen when we were kids. He loved listening to music. His favorite artists were Bob Dylan, Gordon Lightfoot and Kris Kristofferson.
Merton is survived by his son, Matthew Larson of Minneapolis, MN; his father Ervin Goodwin of Mahnomen, MN; three brothers: John Turpin of Marion, IL; Guy Goodwin of Mahnomen, MN; Craig (Donna) Goodwin of Minneapolis, MN; four sisters: Mary (Skip) Weigelt of Minneapolis, MN; Geri "Ninny" Goodwin of Mahnomen, MN; Charli (Ken) Lacey of St. Paul, MN; Bobbi (Joel) Rodriquez of Bloomington, MN; one sister in law, Bonnie Turpin of Miltona, MN; and many nieces, nephews and extended family.
He is preceded in death by his Mother, Geraldine; five brothers: Clyde, Terry, Gary, Sandy and Todd and one sister, Caroline.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, March 16th at 11 a.m. at the Anderson Family Funeral Home in Mahnomen, MN.