Merrill Johansen

Merrill K. Johansen, age 86, of Clitherall, died on Wednesday, August 28, 2019, at St. Williams Living Center in Parkers Prairie.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, September 7, 2019, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Parkers Prairie with Rev. Kirk Lee officiating.  Music is provided by organist, Gloria Hollatz.  Interment will take place at Parkers Prairie Cemetery with full military honors accorded by the Minnesota Honor Guard and the Parkers Prairie American Legion Post #219.

A visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

Merrill Keith Johansen was born on August 14, 1933, to Herman and Esther (Honaker) Johansen in Logan, Iowa.  He grew up in rural Estherville, Iowa and attended country school.  He grew up on the family farm and helped his father until he entered the U.S. Army in 1955.  Merrill served in Germany until his honorable discharge in the spring of 1957.  He returned home to continue farming with his father until their family moved to rural Parkers Prairie in November of 1958.  He continued dairy and cattle farming for over 40 years.  He was united in marriage to Lela Neilsen on October 24, 1970, at the Free Methodist Church in Alexandria.  Merrill retired from farming in the spring of 2000.  He enjoyed collecting classic cars and restoring vintage tractors.

Merrill was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Esther; former wife, Lela; brother-in-law, Alvin Schwenn; sister and brother-in-law, June and Richard Jarvi; sister-in-law, Arlene Johansen; and nephews, Keith Schwenn and Jerry Johansen.

Merrill is survived by his special friends, Tony and Laura Fiedler and their sons, Jason (Jamie), Justin (Logan) and Jake (Kayla); sister, Eleanor Schwenn; brother, Harold Johansen; nephews, Doug Jarvi, John Jarvi, Kenneth Schwenn, Dave Johansen and Stan Johansen; nieces, Barbara Francis, Marlene Jarvi, Jane Preston and Sue Berberich; and many great nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers are Tony Fiedler, Jason Fiedler, Justin Fiedler, Jake Fiedler, Dave Johansen and Stan Johansen. Honorary pallbearers are Doug Jarvi, Marlene Jarvi, John Jarvi, Barbara Francis, Kenneth Schwenn, Jane Preston, Sue Berberich.