Merlen Zurn

Merlen Zurn died Wednesday, January 21th 2015, at his home in Coon Rapids, following a long illness. Merlen was born on December 17th, 1931, to Nicholas William Zurn and Stella Marie (Bellefeuille) Zurn at White Earth, Minnesota, as the older of identical twins. He and brother Harlan, a rather contentious addition to the growing Zurn family, were the third and fourth of ten children on the farm in Riceville Township. Merlen went to grade school in District 132 – a one room rural local school. Upon graduation from 8th grade, the twins attended high school at the Pallottine Seminary in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, completing a four-year program. After graduation, Merlen came back home and went to work for the Chris Zurn Plastering business in Moorhead, Minnesota. In 1952, Merlen enlisted in the Air Force, entered Basic Training, and attended Armament School. He was then assigned to Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and other Air Force bases, When his enlistment ended, Merlen married Wanda Beaver on 2/2/1957. He attended college at North Dakota State University in Fargo, graduating four years later with a degree in Electrical Engineering. Merlen was hired by Univac in Minneapolis in 1960, and worked there for over 20 years. He was introduced to golf at the university and played a rather serious game of chasing the little white ball, along with his brothers, cousins, one brother-in-law and many associates, for many years. Merlen is survived by his wife, Wanda, three daughters, Valerie Zurn, Lori Zurn, and Barbara Zurn, one son, Steve Zurn, three grandchildren, Jamel (Meghan) Alkins, Breanna Curtis and Colton Curtis, and one great-grandson, Isaiah Alkins. He will also be dearly missed by his aunt Clair Zurn, Moorhead, MN, brother Marcell (Rosemary) Zurn, Coon Rapids, MN, sisters Betty Dean, Fresno, CA, Estelle (Ray) Farley, Alexandria, MN, Arletta (Art) Munger, Fresno, CA, his brother David (Eleanor) Zurn, Fargo, ND, and his many cousins, nieces and nephews. Merlen rests now in the arms of the Lord, with his parents and grandparents and many much-loved family members who preceded him in death. May the light of Jesus Christ, our savior, shine perpetually upon him and grant him peace.

Tributes

Merlen Zurn

January 21, 2015

Tributes

Merlen Zurn

January 21, 2015

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