Merlyn Delon Laechelt was born September 21, 1932, at the Saltee residence in Canby, Minnesota, to parents Walter and Julia (Saltee) Laechelt. He was baptized at Zion Lutheran and confirmed there in 1945. He attended Clarkfield Schools and graduated in 1950. Following graduation, he started farming full-time with his dad, Walter. Merlyn married Alice Wick of Montevideo, Minnesota, on June 15, 1952, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Montevideo. They were the parents of six children: Julie, Janet, June, Michael, Mark, and Merle. Merlyn lived his entire life on the home farm his Grandfather started. He loved farming and trying new ways to do things. He enjoyed working and building things in his shop. He loved hunting and fishing, especially with family and friends. He enjoyed his trips to Montana and Wyoming (over 30 years) after the fall harvest. He loved seeing all his friends there. He also loved telling jokes and seemed to have an endless supply to tell. He enjoyed the "mixed double bowling league," but most of all he enjoyed being with his wife of almost 51 years, his children, grandchildren, and being able to see pictures of his first great grandchild. He was very proud of all of them and was always happy to be available to help them at any time. Merlyn was involved with his community. He was a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran, serving in numerous positions. He was Mission Treasurer, Financial Treasurer, Trustee, Chairman of the Congregation and numerous committees through the years. He also coached the church Young Peoples softball team. He was a lifelong member of Farm Bureau, member of Yellow Medicine Corn Growers since its inception and a longtime member of its Board. He was a past member of Yellow Medicine Soybean Growers Association. He served for years as Chairman of the Boyd Farmers Elevator Board and then as Vice President of Tri-Line Cooperative. Merlyn served for a number of years on Minnesota Valley Farm Credit Services Board. He was a member of the Clarkfield Lions Club for many years and served on its board and was involved in many of their activities. He spent his entire life helping people with field work when they were ill and helping with fund raisers. Merlyn passed away at the Chippewa County Montevideo Hospital, Montevideo, Minnesota, on Saturday, May 10, 2003, at the age of 70 years, 7 months and 19 days. He is survived by his wife, Alice; and his children: Julie (and Bill) Ward of Virginia Beach, Virginia and their children Kendra (husband John Styron and son Ethan), Travis and Dustin Ward; Janet (and Al) Pierce of Boyd, Minnesota, and their children Stephanie, Douglas, and Katelyn; June of Willmar, Minnesota; Michael of Hoffman, Minnesota; Mark of Boyd, Minnesota; and Merle of Canby, Minnesota. He is also survived by sister Phyllis Kockelman of Clarkfield, Minnesota; sisters-in-law Solvieg Belseth, Juliana Belseth, and Rose Wick; brother-in-law Clifford (and Barb) Wick; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation Wednesday, May 14, 2003, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Prayer Service 7:30 p.m. Lynner Funeral Home, Clarkfield, Minnesota Funeral Service Thursday, May 15, 2003, 2:00 p.m. Zion Lutheran Church, Tyro Township Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota Officiating, Pastor Dennis Schultz Organist, Valerie Buysse Soloist, Ross Riecke "Amazing Grace" "The Lord is My Shepherd" Honorary Casket Bearers Grandchildren, Nieces and Nephews Casket Bearers Stan Homan, Don Hutt Greg Koepp, Herb Kruse Mardell Olson, Wayne Marlin Satre, Marvin Satre Final Resting Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Tyro Township Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota Arrangements by Lynner Funeral Home Since 1891 Clarkfield Minnesota