Merle P. Correll

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Merle Prentice Correll was born March 25, 1929, in Moorhead, MN, to P.A. and Olga (Evers) Correll. Merle was raised on a farm southwest of West Fargo, ND, and attended school at Dobrinz School - a one-room schoolhouse now located at Bonanzaville, where his original desk can still be found. The family moved to Moorhead where Merle graduated from Moorhead High School in 1947.

Merle married Arlene Wilson, on April 28, 1950, in Moorhead, where they made their home. The young couple built a house in Oakport Township in 1960, where they raised their family of five children. They moved to Dilworth, MN, in 2004.

Merle entered into a road-building business with his father and brother in 1946, named Correll Construction Company. Many of the township and county roads in Cass County were built by this company. The winter months were spent plowing snow and rebuilding the equipment. Besides being a dedicated family provider, Merle enjoyed summer weekends at the lake with family and friends. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing, playing cards and dice, and golf. His creativity was shown in well-crafted woodworking projects throughout the family home, fixing electronics, winemaking, cooking and gardening. He could repurpose almost anything. He got quite a kick out of homemade practical jokes.

Merle sold the construction company in 1984, and went to work for Clay County Highway Department. He retired in 1995, but continued to work part-time as needed, especially in training new employees. Since retirement, Merle continued golfing as a member of the Hawley Golf Club, and volunteered his handyman expertise at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Moorhead, where he was baptized in 2006. His greatest love was his wife with whom he celebrated 60 years of marriage before her death in 2010. He also loved time spent with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Holidays were wonderful when all gathered at his home. He had many dear friends, and enjoyed many summers at Lee Lake Campground near Hawley, MN.
Merle passed away Saturday, February 19, 2011, in his home at 81 years of age.
Merle is survived by his five children: Marlys Franck, Fargo, Dennis (Melanie) Correll, West Fargo, Sandy (Scott) Hansen, Valley City, ND, Sharon Correll, Moorhead, and David (Ann Meillier) Correll, Faribault, MN; seven grandchildren, Gregory Franck, Chris Franck, Andrea (Dustin) Arntson, Dayna (Corey) Johnson, Adam Hansen, Madeline Correll, and Samuel Correll; two great-grandchildren, Jacob Christl, and Samantha Arntson; one brother, Lloyd (Bev) Correll, Moorhead; and three sisters, Bernice (Frank) Daddario, Durham, NC, Evelyn Simpson, Detroit Lakes, MN, and Eileen VanDame, Fargo.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Arlene; two sisters; one son-in-law; and one grandson.
Visitation for Merle will be Friday, February 25, 2011, from 5 - 7 PM, with a prayer service at 7 PM, in Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead.
His funeral will be Saturday, February 26, 2011, at 10 AM, in Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Moorhead.
Burial will follow in Moorhead Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be given to Creative Care for Reaching Independence (CCRI) in Moorhead, and Our Savior's Lutheran Church General Fund.