MERLIN PAUL GRANBERG

After a courageous, hard fought battle with ALS, Merlin Paul Granberg went to his Lord and Savior on October 16, 2009, passing peacefully at his home surrounded by loving family and friends.

Merlin was born on June 17, 1942 in Everett, Washington to Eleanor and Vincent Granberg. Shortly after, the family made their home in Bellingham where he graduated from Bellingham High School, attended Bellingham Technical College, and enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in 1959, a "gung ho" Marine forever.
After finishing Boot Camp he returned to Bellingham where he married Marie Seastrom on July 27, 1963. They made their first home in Anacortes where he worked at Skyline Marina and later moved to Seattle. Merlin worked as a Sous Chef at the Hyatt House and then became a consultant for Food Management Consultants.

In 1972 Merlin, Marie and their two children, Wendy and Michael, moved to Skagit Valley where Merlin became the Director of Food Service for Skagit Valley Hospital. He worked there for 30 years, retiring in 2002. While he was at the hospital he also helped develop, build and open Skagit Station Dining Company in Sedro-Woolley. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Mount Vernon for 30 years. He was one of the founding members of the Skagit Valley Marine Corps League and was its first Commandant.

Merlin was passionate about everything he did: family, work, hobby, and life in general and loved sharing it with other people. He cherished his children, grandchildren, and all extended family and said that there was nothing more important. People who worked for him at the hospital soon learned of his high standards and expectations showing many of his young employees how to work and be successful.

A very passionate car collector and restorer, he was a member of Packards International, Packard Automobile Club, Classic Car, Walter P. Chrysler Club, and attended many, many swap meets over the years. Merlin purchased his first hobby vehicle in 1967 and his life-long love affair with old cars continued on and grew from there. People who visited his collection at his home quickly discovered that he didn't only collect cars. He was an avid collector of WWII books and artifacts, Hollywood memorabilia, radios, cameras, models, automobiles literature and posters, records, old phonographs, and petroliana, all of which were meticulously arranged, displayed, and maintained. He eagerly and proudly welcomed guests to visit and enjoy his "Shop and Display Area." Some who visited actually called it a small museum.

Merlin is survived by Marie, his wife of 46 years; son Michael Granberg and his wife Wendy and their children Nicholas, Micaela, and Blaine; daughter Wendy Marden and her son Kindred; father-in-law Eskel Seastrom; sister-in-law Marian Parkhurst and husband Jack; sister-in-law Marg Meece and husband Don; uncle Bernard Quiram and wife Lorraine; nieces and nephews; and dear friend Les Huggins.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother and mother-in-law Vivian Seastrom.

We wish to give special thanks to all of Merlin's family, friends and loved ones who kept in constant touch with him through this long journey. Special thanks go to his very special care-givers Andrea and Kristyn, to Les and most especially to Marg and Don, our Angels.

Memorials or gifts in Merlin's name may be made to the ALS Association Evergreen Chapter, 19115 68th Ave. South, Kent, WA 98032, www.al sa.org.

A graveside service with Military Honors will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2009, 11:30 a.m. at Mount Vernon Cemetery, followed by a memorial service at 1:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church.

You may offer your condolences to Merlin's family and share memories online at www.kernfuneralhome .com