Merle Alton Hermundson

Merle Alton Hermundson, age 85, passed away on Sunday, January 6, 2013 at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Wabasha. He was born on October 24, 1927 on the Hermundson farm in Center Creek, rural Nelson, a son of Henry and Julia (Severson) Hermundson. Merle honorably served in the military during WW II. Following his honorable discharge in 1946, Merle returned home to Wisconsin. He was united in marriage to Dorothy Fraser in 1953. They resided in California. To this union, three sons were born, Dale Merle, Don Wayne and Darrel Lee. They later divorced. Merle left California, returning to Wisconsin in 1970. Marilyn Letts-Hanson was in Nelson visiting her family when she and Merle happened to meet and became re-acquainted. They had known each other when they were in their teens. Merle and Marilyn married on February 24, 1973 in Aurora, IL. Several years later he once again returned to Wisconsin where he and Marilyn had currently resided. Their love for each other has endured and remained strong in the nearly 40 years they spent together. Merle’s love will remain strong in Marilyn’s heart. Merle was a longtime, faithful and devoted member of Lyster Lutheran Church in Urne, WI. He enjoyed life to the fullest and nothing made him happier than spending time with his family. After retirement from Bauerbilt in Durand, you could find Merle enjoying morning coffee with his friends at Beth’s Twin Bluff’s Café. Merle is survived and dearly missed by his wife, Marilyn; his son, Don; four daughters, Roxanne (Cipriano) Garcia, Vicki (Ted) Mannes, Brenda Hanson-Bird and Valerie (Dan) Chapman; his sisters and brothers, Lorraine Becker, Ronald Hermundson; Joyce (Robert) Plote, and Curtis (Kathryn) Hermundson; 9 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Besides his parents, two sons Dale and Darrell, brother Dean Hermundson, sister Maxine Hermundson, brother in law Duane Becker and his grandson Ernie McGinn preceded Merle in death. Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 11 at 11:00 AM at Lyster Lutheran Church with Pastor Michael Vetsch officiating. Cremation will follow with inurnment at the church cemetery in spring. A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 10 from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the Talbot Family Funeral Home, Alma Chapel and again on Friday one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorial contributions in Merle’s name may be to either Lyster Lutheran Church or St. Elizabeth Health Care Center. Online memories or condolences may be sent to www.talbotfuneralhomes.com.