Merlin W. Munson

Merlin W. Munson was born December 2, 1921 to Malvin & Gladys Munson at Villard, MN. He came to North Dakota with his parents to a farm north of Mapes. His parents later moved to a farm south of Lakota, where he attended grade school in Dodds Township. He graduated from Lakota High School in 1938 and attended Aakers Business College in Grand Forks, ND.

In June of 1941, he began employment with the National Bank of Lakota; in September 1942, he was called to serve in the United States Air Force for 3 years (18 months in the U.S. and 18 months with the 15th Air Force in Italy).

He was discharged in 1945 and returned to his employment at the National Bank of Lakota. The Bank was sold and it became the State Bank of Lakota where he continued employment until his retirement in July 1989.

On February 9, 1946 he married Ruby A. Tufte of Lakota in Fargo, ND. They lived in Lakota until his retirement after which time they moved to Grand Forks where he peacefully died at home in his sleep on Memorial Day, May 25th, 2015.

Merlin was an active member of his community, serving as treasurer of both the Lakota School District and Lakota Lutheran Church. He also served as Sunday School Superintendent at his church. He was a member of the Lakota American Legion for over 66 years and served in various offices of that organization. He was also a member of the Eagles Club in East Grand Forks.

He was very supportive of the Nelson County Historical Society and donated a large collection of toy harnessed horses that were hitched to various pieces of antique equipment to the Stump Lake Village Museum. The collection is currently on display there, and he enjoyed making annual visits to the Labor Day Threshing Bee.

Merlin liked old time music and his favorite dance was the polka (in fact, the night before he died, the Cathy Erickson Band played “Gary’s Polka” for him twice at the East Grand Forks Legion!) He and Ruby also enjoyed camping in their RV at Stump Lake for over 30 years. Driving around the country on summer weekends to see what the farmers were doing and watching the crops develop was another favorite past time of his.

He is survived by his daughter, Myrna; son, Kendall; grandsons, Nathan (Liz) and Austin; and great grandsons, Kellen and Palmer. Merlin was devoted to his family and always offered a hand when help was needed. He is also survived by a niece and nephew and their families.

Merlin was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby; brother, Arvid; and his parents.

The Funeral Service for Merlin will be held at the Lakota Lutheran Church, Lakota, ND, on Friday, May 29, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. Officiating will be the Rev. Tedd Rieke. Interment will be at the Lakota Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Aaker Funeral Home of Lakota on Thursday, beginning at 5:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Friday, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.