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Sylvester (Dick) Kerfeld, age 80 of Merrifield, formerly of St. Cloud, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Rochester, MN.
Visitation will be from 10:00-11:30am at Immaculate Heart Catholic Church in Crosslake on Thursday, March 13th. Mass will be held at 11:30-12:30. Lunch will follow at the church.
Dick was born June 4, 1944, in Melrose, MN to Joseph and Bertha (Klasen) Kerfeld. He was married to wife Kerry (Primus) on September 30, 1963, and shared 61 years together. For many years, Dick and his family were seasonal campers at Upper Cullen Resort and Campground near Nisswa. They lived most of their life in St. Cloud until they built a home on Lougee Lake near Merrifield in 2005. Dick spent his entire working career at Fingerhut in St. Cloud for 42 years until retirement. Upon retirement, they moved “up north”, where Dick was active in volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, the Merrifield Marathons Snowmobile Club, and Old Geezers Club. Dick and Kerry were also former members of St. Christopher’s Church in Nisswa. Dick was always active in the outdoors helping anyone who needed help. He loved to ice fish, and at times, ice fished as many as six days a week. His ice fishing buddies Murray, Jeff, and Mark provided many great memories over their years of fishing. Dick was extremely proud of his three grandchildren, and was active in every stage of their lives, willing drop everything to spend time with them.
Survivors include his wife Kerry of Merrifield, children Jeff (Stacy) of Chaska, Steve (Patty) of St. Cloud. Three grandchildren, Bennett (Kenzie) of Shakopee, Regan (Dylan) Schoenfeldt of Shorewood and Maren of Chaska. Brothers and sisters, Kathy (Harry) Elfering of Melrose, Jim (Kathy) Kerfeld of Sauk Centre, Bernie Ostendorf of St. Cloud, and Ann (Mike) Hiltner of St. Cloud; and sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Kerfeld of Sartell, Dottie Kerfeld of Waite Park and Barbara (Chuck) Robbins of Carrolton TX, brother-in-law Tony Primus of Portsmouth VA.
Dick was preceded in death by his infant son Shawn, parents Joseph and Bertha; and brothers, Will, Tony and Joseph Jr., and sister Rosie Rolfes.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Merrifield Marathons Snowmobile Club or Habitat for Humanity in Brainerd. The Kerfeld family kindly appreciates everyone’s thoughts and prayers during this time of sadness. No thank you cards will be sent.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Baxter.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
13782 County Road 36, Cross Lake, MN 56442
Memories and condolences can be left on the obituary at the funeral home website.
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