William J Merck

William Merck, 91, Minot, ND, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, February 4, 2024.
William J. "Bill" Merck was born the ninth of ten children on October 12, 1932, in rural McHenry County, North Dakota, to Felix and Mary (Meyer) Merck. Bill attended rural schools and spent his early years helping his parents on the family farm near Granville, ND.
When Bill was nine years old, his oldest brother John purchased an accordion, and Bill took an interest in it. His dad noticed that he was able to play quite well and agreed to buy an accordion for him. It was a 24 bass and Bill was so proud to have his very own accordion.
On Saturday nights during the North Dakota winter months, the farm neighbors would hire Bill to play music for dancing--he was paid $5 for the evening's music. As a teenager, Bill formed a small group that played in the local area. He later formed the Bill Merck Band and recorded five albums, played for dances, Polkafests, weddings, and anniversaries. He had many great friends as musicians over the years. The band retired, but Bill and friends continued to play regularly for assisted living facilities in Minot. He was inducted into the Dakota Musicians Hall of Fame in May of 2017, in Aberdeen, SD.
At 20 years old, Bill was drafted into military service by the US Army and spent most of the next two years in Korea. While in Korea, Bill was asked to join a group to provide entertainment for the officers and their families.
On August 6, 1956, Bill married Mary Jo McDonald in Deering, ND. They were married more than 67 years at the time of his passing. Bill and Mary Jo lived in Minot, Underwood, and then moved back to Minot for the majority of their married life.
Besides continuing to work on the family farm, Bill spent a short time working as a Milk Hauler. He then found his calling as a serviceman for Montana Dakota Utilities in Minot-a job he would hold for more than 35 years. He always spoke highly of his time at MDU, how he had great bosses and co-workers that became life-long friends. After retiring from MDU, he continued to farm and ranch with his son Steve, and of course, played for dances on weekends. He enjoyed coffee with good friends daily, especially his longtime friend and musician, Rod Renaud. The flood of 2011 proved to be more of a challenge than the floods of 1969 and after, and Bill and Mary Jo had to leave the home they built in the early 1960s at 2509 Belview Drive for downsizing and townhouse living for the next 10 years. They lived at Somerset Court Assisted Living in Minot for a year when failing health led them to Bethel Lutheran Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Williston, ND in 2022.
Bill and Mary Jo traveled whenever they could-summer family vacations when kids were young, a trip to Germany in the 70s, later in life, camping, and many other adventures. He was active in St. Leo's Church for more than 60 years, as an usher and member of the Knights of Columbus and Holy Name Society. He was a member of the Moose Lodge, Eagles and American Legion. He and Mary Jo loved to follow their grandchildren's activities and always made time to attend school programs, sporting events, and their other endeavors. Visits from great grandchildren were a highlight for both of them. Bill was very proud of his family! He was always there to help extended family as well. When a niece or nephew needed a place to stay or a little help along the way, he was always there. His brothers, sisters, in-laws and their spouses were very important to him as well. He considered his brothers to be his best friends, and he loved his sisters deeply. He loved his home community of Granville, ND and had many life-long friends there. He couldn't drive through town without a stop to see friends at the Memorial Diner.
Bill is survived by his wife of more than 67 years, Mary Jo; three children, six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren: sons, Steven Merck and his wife Diane of Granville and their daughter, Emily; Leslie Merck and his wife Pamela of Minot and their children, Jessica (Matthew) Schlegel and their son, Owen, and Eric Merck; daughter, Deborah (David) Richter of Williston and their children, Stephanie (Josh) Johnson and their children, Parker, Brady, Lennon, Walker and Austyn, Douglas (Katelyn) Richter and their children, Avery and Case, and Rachel (Luke) Lordemann. He is also survived by his sisters-in laws, Carolyn Johnson, Teresa Cowan, and LaRae McDonald, and brother-in-law, Tom McDonald and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents Felix and Mary Merck, mother and father-in-law Ruth and Lester McDonald, brothers John, Alex (Gerd), Joseph (Beverly), and Leo (Carolyn) Merck; sisters Jane Sattler, Mary (Rudy) Jose, Regina (Carl) Kahoutek, Catherine (Roy) Duchscherer, Elizabeth (Vincent) Schaan, in-laws Wesley Johnson, William Cowan, James McDonald, Daniel McDonald and Patricia McDonald and several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Harmony wing of Bethel Lutheran Home and CHI Hospice staff for the great care they took of Bill.
Mass of Christian Burial: Saturday, February 10, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, Minot.
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot, ND.
Visitation: Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.
Vigil Prayer Service: Friday at 7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.
The service will be livestreamed for the public to view and can be accessed by going to Thompson-Larson Funeral Home's YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@thompson-larsonfuneralhome3198