Gerald Merrill

GERALD LAVON MERRILL...

was born to Donald and Gretchen (Luttmers) Merrill on November 22, 1932 in Pipestone, Minnesota. He was raised on the family farm on the edge of Pipestone and attended Pipestone High School, graduating in 1950. While he was in high school, he enjoyed playing basketball and football. Gerald went to the National FFA Convention when he was president of FFA. At the age of 16, Gerald began his lifelong career of farming which he continued until his retirement.

Gerald was united in marriage to Verone “Boots” Schliinz in the Presbyterian Church in Flandreau, South Dakota on June 23, 1952. Together they had four children, LaVon, LaNet, LeAnn and Gerry; ten grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. They just celebrated their 60th anniversary. On Monday, December 31, 2012, Gerald was admitted to the Pipestone County Medical Center in Pipestone, Minnesota where he died that same day at the age of 80 years, one month and nine days.

Gerald was involved in many activities throughout his life. He was a member of Peace United Methodist Church for 80 years where he served as a trustee. He was president of the Gun Club and he enjoyed trap shooting. He was also president of the Prairie Riders Saddle Club, and his family spent many summers riding and showing horses. Gerald was a Master of the Masonic Lodge as well as an El Riad Shriner. He enjoyed racing stock cars, hunting and fishing. In 1986, Gerald and Boots built their family cabin at Lake Shakotan. Everyone was always welcome at the “cabin” and many memories there will be treasured, especially the fourth of July celebrations. Many of his kids and grandkids learned to ski at the cabin creating many smiles and a lifetime of memories. Gerald was a member of the Lake Shakotan Lake Association. He and Boots were avid snowmobilers. They loved to travel where the snow was and always made friends along the way. During this time, Gerald was also president of the Hiawatha Snowblazers.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Verone “Boots” Merrill of Pipestone, MN; his children: LaVon Gennette of Guilford, CT and her children Wade and MaKenzi; LaNet Merrill and Brian Gaffey of Sanibel, FL and their daughter Laura; LeAnn and Scott Quist of Pipestone, MN and their children Billy, Stacy, Joel, Erin and Greg; and Gerry and Laurie Merrill of Pipestone, MN and their children Nichole and Michael; and four great-grandchildren, Tate and Trent VanRoekel and Landon and Luka Quist.