Merle D. Harth

Merle D. Harth, age 85, of Osakis, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at Osakis Lutheran Church in Osakis with Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders officiating. Interment will take place at West Evergreen Cemetery, Osakis. Full military honors accorded by the Minnesota Honor Guard and the Osakis VFW Post #7902.

Visitation is 4-8 p.m., Tuesday, May 14, at Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Merle Dodge was born on February 6, 1939, to Jerold and Doris (Anderson) Harth in Osakis. He was baptized and confirmed at Osakis Lutheran Church. Merle graduated from Osakis High School in 1957, where he enjoyed playing basketball. Following his graduation, he moved to the cities and had a few short-term jobs until he settled at Otis Elevator and enlisted in the National Guard in 1961.

Merle was united in marriage to the love of his life “his Barbie”, Barbara Mead, on April 6, 1963, at the United Methodist Church in Osakis. Together, they briefly resided in the Twin Cities. Merle was honorably discharged in 1967, and in 1968, the couple returned to Osakis. Together they lived with Merle’s grandfather until 1971, when they built their forever home near Smith Lake. Merle then worked at Standard Oil Trucking Company in Sauk Centre for over a decade.

Venturing into entrepreneurship, Merle and Barb purchased, “The Coffee Pot Cafe” in Alexandria. They owned and operated it for 22 years, during which Merle became known for his exceptional cooking skills. Merle’s loving nature made an impact on everyone who walked in the door. Following their retirement from the restaurant business, Merle found fulfillment working at Pete’s County Market.

Merle was a devoted sports fan, watching college basketball and supporting his home state teams, the Minnesota Gophers and Vikings. In his younger years he enjoyed deer camp, fishing, golfing, and many trips with Barb and his children. As he aged, he found solace walking the trail, coffee dates with friends and Saturday breakfasts with family. Most of all Merle loved attending all activities or sporting events that his grandchildren were in. Merle was blessed with a great-granddaughter in 2019, who quickly became “the apple of his eye.”

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Barb; and brothers-in-law, Tom Donohoe and Bob Ahrens.

Merle is survived by his son, Kyle Harth of Nelson; daughter, Amy (Blake) Weller-Neu of Alexandria; two brothers, Rick (Jackie) Harth and Kirby (Steve Holme) Harth; three sisters, Sharon Donohoe, Jeri-Kae Ahrens, and Jeanne (Gary) Kuehn; six grandchildren, Luke Hearn, Leah (Darian) Tobish, McLane Hearn, Ty Weller, Gabe Weller, and Brody Neu; great-granddaughter, Koriana Tobish; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Urn bearers are his grandchildren, Ty Weller, Leah Tobish, Gabe Weller, and Brody Neu. Honorary urn bearers are his goddaughters, Terri Connolly, Kami Pribnow, and Kari Kraemer.