Ilene Lorraine Merritt

The ceremony commemorating the life of Ilene Merritt, 100, of Marshall, formerly of Minneota, will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at Hope Lutheran Church in Minneota. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at the church. Interment will take place at Hope Lutheran Cemetery in Minneota.
Ilene Lorraine (Hoseck) Merritt was born on a farm near Canby, MN, to Peter and Inga (Ronne) Hoseck. She grew up on the family farm and learned many life lessons as times were tough in the Depression. She attended country school and graduated from Canby High School in 1943. On September 23, 1944, she was united in marriage to Glenn Merritt. The couple lived most of their lives in Minneota, except for a couple of years near Silver Springs, FL. Ilene was a longtime active member of Hope Lutheran Church. After her kids had grown, she worked for the Minneota Manor for over 30 years. She enjoyed gardening, sewing and crocheting.
Ilene died on September 18, 2025, at the Avera Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall. She is survived by her daughter Kay (Rick) Herceg, son Lance (Joan) Merritt; grandchildren Troy (Melissa) Waetjen, Graham (Darci) Herceg, Nichol (Darrell) Henri, Stefanie (Jared) Eischens, Laura (Todd) Bjorgo, Wade (Chelcie) Eischens, Lindsey (Dan) Merritt, Michael Merritt and Jacob Merritt, 17 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Glenn, son Barry Merritt, daughters Linda Merritt and Wendy Eischens and grandchildren Scott Herceg, Alex Henri, Ross Eischens and great-granddaughter Jenna Bjorgo.
The family wishes to express appreciation to the caring staff of Avera Morningside Heights Care Center.
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