"I am most sorry to hear of his passing. He was the greatest Godfather anyone could ever have. I was very blessed to know him. God received a precious angel. My condolences and many prayers go out to all family and friends. "
In loving memory of
Merle H. Von Minden
June 8, 1926 - July 17, 2017
Merle H. Von Minden, 91, of Allen, NE passed away peacefully at home on July 17, 2017.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 A.M. on Monday, July 24, 2017 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Martinsburg, NE with Rev. Dr. Klaus Raab officiating. Burial with military rites will be in Eastview Cemetery in rural Allen, NE. Visitation will begin at 5:00 P.M., with the family present at 6:00 P.M. and a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. on Sunday, July 23, 2017 at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Mohr Funeral Home in Ponca, NE.
Merle was born June 8, 1926, on a farm outside of Martinsburg, NE to Henry and Lida (Koeppe) Von Minden. On January 23, 1955, he married Deenette (Good) Von Minden and they made their home in Allen on the farm where Deenette was born.
Merle loved the land and spent his career as a farmer and cattle/hog feeder. He joined the American Legion in 1953 after spending two years in the Army during the Korean War, and was honored for 50 years of continuous membership in 2003. He was active in the community and served on the following: The Allen Board of Education, the Co-op Elevator Board, the Allen Volunteer Fire Department, the Farmers Home Administration, the Region IV Mental Health Board, the Dixon County Weed Board, the Dixon County Farm Bureau, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Dixon County Veterans Service Board, and both the Springbank and Dixon County Republican Committees. He also served as a Dixon County Supervisor. After retirement, he was elected to serve as a Nebraska State Senator for Dixon, Wayne and Dakota Counties from 1980 to 1984.
Merle was fun-loving and had a great sense of humor. He liked traveling and enjoyed talking to everyone. He was a man of his word who always did what he said. He lived life on his terms and loved every minute of it. He was truly devoted to his family and always had time for his children as they grew up and after they became adults. He was a devout Christian all of his life. He had very strong moral and ethical values that he passed on to his children and grandchildren. He was a lifetime member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Martinsburg.
Merle loved motorcycles, fancy cars and Nebraska sports. He found joy in dancing, singing, whistling and playing cards. He enjoyed working outside and keeping his yard beautiful. He liked riding his bike around town, and at the age of 70, he became an avid bowler. He was always a farmer at heart and continued to check the crops and remained interested in planting and harvesting. He and Deenette traveled the globe together, visiting every state in the union and all the continents of the world, except Antarctica.
Merle was preceded in death by his parents; his brother and sister-in-law, Harold and Darlene (Tootie) Von Minden; his sister and brother-in-law, Faye and George Naylor; his grandson, Robert Russell, Jr., and his mother and father-in-law, Vivian and H.F. (Dean) Good.
Survivors include: Deenette; daughter, LeAnn (Robert) Russell of Pennsburg, PA; son, Scott (Catherine) Von Minden of Lincoln, NE; daughter, Lori (Patrick) Stillman of Fairfax Station, VA; a sister, Ann (Reid) Clausen of Highlands Ranch, CO; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, 5106 Douglas Street, Ponca, NE 68770.
Tributes
"Lori and family, I was saddened to learn of Merle's passing. I was honored to have spent some time with Merle and Deenette years ago. Merle was a great man, husband, Dad, grandfather, community leader, state senator and loved all things Nebraska. He lived a long, wonderful life and you are so lucky to have many good memories. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Shalla Young"
"Half the fun of my job is meeting great people. Merle was one of those individuals who made my visits with him something to look forward to. Witnessing a beautiful, loving & caring marriage relationship with Deenette was always experienced by me and much highly thought of. Deenette & Family Members will be in my (and many, many others') thoughts & prayers because of the way they lived their lives. Chris Riha, Grand Island"
"Our deepest sympathy to Deenette and family at this difficult time. We have great memories of fun times spent with Merle and Deenette riding motorcycles and dining and sightseeing and dining in Myrtle Beach. Merle was always fun to be around and will be missed by many."
"My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I have so many wonderful memories of all the time my folks spent with Merle and Deenette. You were all such wonderful friends. May all your memories give you comfort in you days a head."
"my thoughts and prayers are with the family of Merle. I have so many fond memories of our families getting together and riding our motorcycles. He was a great man."
"To the family of Merle may the days ahead bring fond memories of the days gone by and most of all they bring a tear to your eye and a smile to your face."