Merhle Lincoln Messer

Merhle Lincoln Messer, 89, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Wednesday, April 27, 2016, at the Minnesota Veteran’s Home in Fergus Falls.

Merhle was born on February 12, 1927, to Ernest R., Sr. and Susan (Watson) Messer, on the family farm in Everdell, MN. While attending Breckenridge High School, Merhle joined the United States Army and was stationed at Camp Wolters, TX. He was in the Infantry Training Company from May 1945 to September 1946, with the 11th Battalion in Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Merhle met the love of his life, Patricia Davenport, at the roller skating rink in Fergus Falls. The couple was married on August 12, 1950, at the minister’s home. In 1953, Merhle and Patricia bought land on the outskirts of Fergus Falls and built a home, where they lived until 1986, when they built their new home on Pebble Lake Road in Fergus Falls.

In the 1940’s, Merhle started working with John Mark at the Mark Sand and Gravel Company. In 1973, John Mark left his company to Merhle and six other employees; Elizabeth LaPlante, Don Ashworth, Alvin “Swede” Hanneman, Martin Bellefuille, Don Elliot and Dale Web. Merhle was the last of the seven surviving. After retiring from Mark Sand and Gravel, Merhle and Pat liked to travel to Port Aransas, TX, in their motorhome, just for fun and he also enjoyed working at the Otter Tail County Fairgrounds, as a caretaker.

Merhle liked to fish, walk on the pathway near his home, mow the grass and spend time at their lake cabin. He made horsenail tractors, benches from bed frames and miscellaneous other crafts to fill their craft trailer. He enjoyed going on the road and attending craft shows. Merhle also collected caps and hand-carved wooded horses and wagons. Even when he was working many long hours, Sunday afternoons were always dedicated to family time, which meant going for a drive and an ice cream cone.

In August of 2015, Merhle moved into the Minnesota Veteran’s Home in Fergus Falls and stayed there for the remainder of his life where he received the best care. God rest his soul.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest Sr. and Susan Messer; four sisters, Genevieve (Leon) Swike, Laurene (Lenwood) Lambert, Joyce (Duane) Westlie-Smith and Lucille (Marvin) Schulz; and two brothers, Ernest Messer, Jr., and Jon “Jack” Messer.

Merhle is survived by his loving wife of sixty-five years, Patricia Messer of Fergus Falls; four daughters, Barb (Robert) Flom, Judy Friedrich, Linda (Jeffrey) Hanstad and Laurie (Maurice) Skogen, all of Fergus Falls; ten grandchildren, Patience (Tyler) Armstrong, Alicia (Dan Srnsky) Paulzine, Stephanie (Michael Misialek) Bult, Jennifer (Erick) Fronning, Sara Hendrickson, Amanda Mandelke, Elizabeth (Dan Johnson) Hanstad, Trevor (Sara) Hanstad, Michelle (Jason) Braaten and Mallory (Ryan) Thang; nineteen great-grandchildren, Sophia and Ellie Armstrong, Lincoln and Harrison Srnsky, Tori Bult, Hunter Misialek, Brohde and Zoe Fronning, Cayden and Caleigh Hendrickson, Riley and Avery Peterson, Cody Jennen, Emmerson Johnson, Brandt Patton, Roland Braaten, and Macy, MacKenzie and Landyn Thang; and numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.

A Time of Gathering for Family and Friends: 2:30 PM on Sunday, May 1, 2016, at Knollwood Memorial Gardens in Fergus Falls.
Clergy: Reverend Dr. C. Edward Morgan
Interment: Knollwood Memorial Gardens in Fergus Falls
Military Participation: Fergus Falls American Legion Post #612 and VFW Post #30
Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls, MN