Merna Odell Kobbervig

Merna O. Kobbervig, age 93 of Princeton, MN, died Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at the Fairview Northland Medical Center, Princeton, MN. Merna was born on June 7, 1915 on a farm in Loma, North Dakota, the middle child of Oliver and Isabelle (Berven) Lenning. As a young child, her family moved to Garden City, Iowa which was the first of several moves to various Iowa towns. Merna graduated as valedictorian from high school in Thompson, Iowa. Merna married Eldon Kobbervig on July 7, 1940 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Thompson, IA. They lived in Lake Mills, Iowa, Eldon's hometown, where he worked at the local light plant. During the early years of marriage, Merna was a homemaker, as well as a volunteer knitting sweater vests for service men and was a Bible study leader at her church. While Eldon was in the service, Merna and their young son, Phil, lived in Lake Mills with Eldon's parents nearby. Upon Eldon's return, he resumed working at the power plant until the family, which now included daughter, Charlene moved to Princeton, MN in 1952. Merna was active at Immanuel as a Quilter, circle member and Bible study leader. She and Eldon were charter members of the Rum River Ramblers and she and Eldon enjoyed summers at Grand Marais, following their retirement. She loved to walk with friends, spend time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Merna was one of the first residents to move into the Caley House when it opened in 1997, where she took an active part in all of the various activities and events. Merna is survived by her son: Philip (Mini) Kobbervig of Woodburn, OR; daughter: Charlene (Frank) Kosloski, Princeton, MN; six grandchildren: Donna (Sean) Harrell, Culver City, CA, Tammy (Tim) Wesely, Princeton, MN, Daniel Kosloski, Princeton, MN, Michael Kobbervig, Los Angeles, CA, William Kobbervig and Kathryn Kobbervig of Lake Oswego, OR; five great grandchildren: Adam, Timothy Jr and Reid Wesely, Braylen Harrell and Jordan Kobbervig; brother-in-law: Arlo Carson, Forest City, IA, four nephews and two nieces. Merna was preceded in death by her parents; husband: Eldon on April 13, 1996; brother: Carroll Lenning; sisters: Joy Carson, Louise Hayes and Margaret Jane Keil. Visitation: 5 to 8 PM Friday, January 9, 2009 at the Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home, Princeton, MN. Prayer Service: 7 PM, Friday at the funeral home. Funeral Service: 11:00 AM, Saturday, January 10, 2009 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Princeton, MN. Interment: Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Princeton, MN. Arrangements entrusted to Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home, Princeton, MN.