Merlyn Lopau

PLEASE NOTE CHANGE: Due to weather, Merlyn's memorial gathering has been changed to Thursday, December 3, 2015 from 4:00 - 8:00 PM.

MERLYN WAYNE LOPAU was born on August 24, 1943 to Milton and Florence (Graphenteen) Lopau at Ashton Memorial Hospital in Pipestone, Minnesota. He attended country school through the sixth grade until his school consolidated with the Lake Benton School District. He graduated from Lake Benton in 1961. He was united in marriage to Alene “Lynn” McCallum, the love of his life, at the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on April 9, 1963. The couple lived in Pipestone where Merlyn worked for Lange Hardware installing heating and air conditioning. In 1965, the couple was offered the opportunity to join Lynn’s dad and her brother John in operating M&M Distributing Company, a farm and home discount store, in Luverne, Minnesota. Merlyn ran the business along with his wife, Lynn and his in-laws, John and Jean McCallum. Merlyn and Lynn settled into life in Luverne, being active in their community and raising their family. They continued to run the business until selling it in October of 2008. Merlyn stayed working part-time for the new owners, Bomgaars. Merlyn began experiencing some health difficulties in the past year and on November 21, 2015, Merlyn died at the age of 72 years, two months and 28 days at home in Luverne.

Merlyn was a past elder at the Presbyterian Church in Luverne. He was a charter member of the Eagles Club in Luverne, past president of the Chamber of Commerce, and served on the board of directors for the Rock County Historical Society. He also served as a member of the Luverne Fire Department for over 20 years. Merlyn was passionate about horses. He was a leader in the 4-H Saddle Club and served as a great mentor to many horse enthusiasts. He was a huge supporter of the Rock County 4-H projects. He was president and delegate for the Southwest Trail Riders. He was a volunteer for Sanford Luverne Hospital in Luverne, working in the Healing Garden and assisting the Blood Mobile. Merlyn was a kind, genuine man. He always put others first in his life and was willing to help wherever he was needed.

Merlyn is lovingly remembered by his wife of 52 years, Lynn; their children, Beth Lopau of Owatonna, Minnesota, and Scott Lopau of Pipestone; grandchildren, Jessica Johnson and her husband Eric of Mankato, Minnesota, and Halie Lopau of Luverne; two great-grandchildren, Brayden and Dylan Johnson; his siblings, Barb (Tom) Feuerhelm of Madison, South Dakota, Karen (Rich) Johnson of Slayton, Minnesota, Ron Lopau of Raton, New Mexico, Rita (Dale) VonArb of Spring, Texas, Randy (Donna) Lopau of Canby, Minnesota, Steve (Linda) Lopau of Preston, Minnesota, Arlyn (Julie) Lopau of Dawson, Minnesota, Mark (Melissa) Lopau of Dover, Minnesota, and Jolene Lopau of St. Leo, Minnesota; three sisters-in-law, Sandy Lopau of Pipestone, Sharon Lopau of Lake Benton, Minnesota and Gay Lopau; and other family. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brothers, Delwyn, David and Edward Lopau.