Merl L. Johannes

Merl Lanning Johannes, 90, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Wednesday, April 4, 2018, at PioneerCare in Fergus Falls.

He was born on December 27, 1927, in Underwood, ND, the fifth of nine children to Milton and Mary (Snyder) Johannes. Merl grew up on his parents’ farm, where he often worked as the shepherd, riding horseback to keep the coyotes away from the sheep. He graduated from Underwood High School in 1945, where he played basketball and baseball.

After graduation, Merl served in the U.S. Army, with basic training in Ft. Lewis, WA, followed by stations in Virginia and Pennsylvania, achieving the rank of Corporal. After his discharge in 1947, Merl married his high school sweetheart, Zona Gale Sampsel on October 20, 1948. He began his career in 1949 with Otter Tail Power Company, working at the Washburn, ND plant. After the births of Bruce, Linda, Penny and Kevin, Merl and Zona moved their family to Fergus Falls, MN, in 1958, for a job transfer with Otter Tail Power to the Hoot Lake Plant. Their family grew with the additions of Brian, Candy and Scott. Merl worked for OTP for 43 years, retiring in 1993 as Chief Plant Operator at the Hoot Lake Plant. He and Zona shared 62 years of marriage before her passing in 2011.

Merl was a hard worker and a kind spirit. He was an avid gardener, growing the biggest and most abundant vegetables. He loved to go fishing and watch sports of all kinds – especially his beloved Twins, Vikings and the Duke Blue Devils. Merl also enjoyed card games and playing cribbage, taking joyful pleasure in beating his sons and son-in-law. He was a crafted handyman who could build anything he imagined. Merl always kept his family happy with his skills in the kitchen, as he was a great cook and outdoor grill master. Family favorites included scrapple, chocolate popcorn, rhubarb custard pies, and homemade ice cream.

Merl was a longtime member of Grace United Methodist church in Fergus Falls, and later joined Maine Presbyterian Church, where he was a devoted and faithful servant. He loved his church family dearly.
Merl was a 25-year member of the Underwood Lions Club, diligent to their cause of service to others. You could usually find him working the grill at their Pork Chop events throughout the area.

Merl was active with the local International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW #949) union, later being elected to the state executive board in Minneapolis, where he served for many years.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Zona; brothers, Maynard and Iver; and sisters, Eileen, Doris and Claudia.

Survivors include his seven children and their spouses, Bruce (Sandy) Johannes of Fargo, ND, Linda (Steve) Lill of Bloomington, IN, Penny (Jeff) Kreutter of Brooklyn Center, MN, Kevin (Cindy) Johannes of Colorado Springs, CO, Brian Johannes of Wadena, MN, Candy (Mark) Hansen of Forman, ND, and Scott (Carol) Johannes of Golden Valley, MN. Also surviving are 13 grandchildren, Andrew Johannes, Kristin (Michael) Miller, Craig (Candace) Lill, Garrett and Kelsey Johannes, Erik and Ben Johannes, Cally (Alex) Kempenich, Tracy (Ian) Hill, Lanning and Samara Hansen, Emily Johannes and Thom (Jessica) Kreutter; 13 great-grandchildren, Drew, Ryan and Evan Miller, Liam and Cole Lill, Oliver and Austin Kempenich, Ian and Jacob Hill and Amy, Jordan, Samantha and Jacob Kreutter; sister, Lola Andrews of Chandler, AZ; brothers, Terry (Laurie) Johannes of Charlotte, NC, and Lane (Mary) Johannes of Indianapolis, IN; brother-in-law, Chuck Gullicks of Bismarck, ND; and several nieces and nephews, including special angel niece JoAnn Bowman who became Merl’s nurse, best friend and adopted fourth daughter.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Underwood Lions Club or Maine Presbyterian Church.


Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 11, 2018, with a 6:30 p.m. public prayer service, at Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls, and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church
Service: 11 a.m. Thursday, April 12, 2018, at Maine Presbyterian Church, rural Underwood, MN
Clergy: Reverend Tom Junkert
Military Participation: Fergus Falls V. F.W. Post 612 and American Legion Post 30
Interment: Silent Vale Cemetery, Maine Township, rural Underwood, MN
Arrangements are provided by the Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls
Online condolences may be sent to www.OlsonFuneralHome.com