Merle E. Kuhlman

Merle Evald Kuhlman…

was born to Louis and Martha (Rasmussen) Kuhlman on August 2, 1923 near Ruthton, Minnesota. Merle grew up on a farm near Ruthton and attended country school District 27. Following his graduation from high school, he attended mechanic school in Wichita, Kansas and was employed by Northwest Airlines in St. Paul, Minnesota. He later worked for the St. Olaf College Dairy Farm in Northfield, Minnesota. He was drafted in 1943 to the Army and was stationed in the Philippine Islands in World War II. When he was discharged, Merle returned to the Ruthton area and began farming. On February 4, 1950, he was united in marriage to Agnes Bauer in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Following their marriage, they began farming near Verdi, Minnesota. In 1957, they moved to a farm in Lake Benton Township of Lincoln County, Minnesota where they built their dairy farm operation. Agnes preceded him in death on May 7, 1998. After her death, he continued to reside on the farm. On February 11, 2011, Merle was taken to Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Then, on February 15, 2011, he became a resident at the Sunrise Manor Nursing Home in Tyler, Minnesota where he died on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at the age of 87 years, six months and 14 days.

Merle was a lifelong member of St. James Lutheran Church in Holland, Minnesota. He enjoyed visiting with family and friends and traveling to various parts of the United States. He especially loved the land and farming. During his retirement years, he restored Minneapolis Moline tractors, including one that he purchased when he first began farming.

He is lovingly remembered by his four children, Carol and her husband Duane Baker of Edgerton, Minnesota, Roger Kuhlman and Steve Kuhlman, both of Lake Benton, Minnesota and Elaine and her husband Glen Kraemer of Brainerd, Minnesota; five grandchildren, Jeff and his wife Jodi Baker of Edgerton, Minnesota, Greg and his wife Tandra Baker of Centerville, South Dakota, Josh and his wife Katie Baker of Sioux Center, Iowa, Sondra and her husband Nick Dahlberg of Ramsey, Minnesota, and Brandon and his wife Amanda Kraemer of St. Peter, Minnesota; 12 great-grandchildren, Daniel, Jeremy, Joel, Hannah, Lydia, Aletha, LaMiya, Lucas, Samuel, Ashton, Weston and Logan; two brothers, Norman Kuhlman of Pipestone, Minnesota and Harland Kuhlman of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and one sister, Arlene Smedsrud of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Merle was preceded in death by his loving wife and parents; one brother, Harold; and nephews, Gary Smedsrud, Keith Kuhlman and Larry Kuhlman.