Merritt Ploeger

Merritt F. Ploeger, age 86, of Alexandria, left for his heavenly home Thursday, June 15, 2017, at Edgewood Vista in Alexandria.

A funeral service will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, June 24, 2017, at Alexandria Covenant Church with Pastor Trinity Opp officiating. Music is provided by musicians, Karen Hurlbut and Sue Johnson; soloist, Dean Olson; and steel guitar by Randy Barnes.  Full military honors accorded by the Minnesota Honor Guard, Alexandria American Legion Post #87, and Alexandria VFW Post #936. Burial is at Oak Hill Cemetery, Garfield.

Visitation is 5-7 p.m., Friday at Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Merritt Fred Ploeger was born January 17, 1931, to Fred and Hulda Ploeger in Ledyard, Iowa. He attended and graduated from Ledyard Public School. He continued his education at Northwestern College, St. Paul and Milwaukee School of Engineering in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Following his education, he served in the Korean War from 1952 to 1954. Following his honorable discharge, Merritt worked for several radio stations. Merritt was united in marriage to Jean Larson July 16, 1966, at Teien Covenant Church in rural Drayton, North Dakota. Merritt and Jean made their home in Burnsville and welcomed home a daughter, Rebecca in 1970. Merritt also worked for Unisys Corporation in St. Paul until 1991, when he retired and moved to Alexandria. Merritt loved all things electronic and was always busy with something. He built an organ with pedals and two manuals and wired their home in Alexandria with surround sound. He was always working on the computer and was able to find and adjust embroidery designs for Jean’s sweatshirt crafts. He also enjoyed attending craft shows. Merritt especially loved fishing and camping at Lake Chippewa. Together they enjoyed travel and made many trips to Branson, Missouri and Colorado. He was a member of Alexandria Covenant Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and sisters, Carolyn Matta and Ruth Zwiers.

Merritt is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jean; daughter, Rebecca (Tom) Utech of Denver, Colorado; granddaughter, Ellah Jean; brothers-in-law, Myron (Lois) Larson of East Grand Forks and Lowell Zwiers of Brandon; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Pallbearers are John and Patti Zwiers, Joel and Jodi Zwiers, Jeremy and Robin Heetland, Zakary Zwiers, Thomas Zwiers, and Jered Zwiers.