HAROLD K. MERSELIS, M.D., 86

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Harold K. Merselis, M.D., 86, of Blair, died Oct. 27,2004.

There will be no public service; a private memorial service will be held at a later date.

Harold K. Merselis was born Jan. 17, 1918, to Warren and Bertha Marsalis , who lived on a farm near North Bend. He graduated from North Bend High School in 1934; from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1938; and from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine in 1941.

In 1940, he married Jurene Vanatta, who was his faithful wife for 64 years.

After finishing his internship at the Detroit Receiving Hospital in 1942, he volunteered for service in the U.S. Army Medical Corps and served as a battalion surgeon until 1946. After his discharge, he was a general practitioner in Audubon, Iowa, for 32 years.

In 1978, he moved to Maui, Hawaii, where he worked for Kaiser Permanente Medical Group. In his semi-retirement years, he grew Protea flowers commercially and was a woodworker. Dr. and Mrs. Merselis moved to Blair in July 2002.

He is survived by his loving wife, Jurene; five children, Joanne Gjerde and John Merselis, both of Blair; Patricia Merselis, Las Vegas, Nev.; Kent Merselis, Phoenix, Ariz.; and James Merselis, Seattle, Wash.; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the donor’s favorite charity.

Campbell-Aman Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

# 2 - from Omaha World-Herald, October 30, 2004

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MERSELIS - - Harold Kenneth, MD, was born Jan. 17, 1918. His parents were Warren and Bertha Merselis, and they lived on a farm near North Bend, NE. He graduated from North Bend High School in 1934, Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1938, and the University of Nebraska College of Medicine in 1941. In 1940, he was married to Jurene Vanatta, who was his faithful wife for 64 years. On finishing his internship at Detroit Receiving Hospital in 1942, he volunteered for service in the U.S. Army Medical Corp and served as a Batallion Surgeon until 1946. After his discharge, he was a General Practitioner in Audubon, IA for 32 years. In 1978 he moved to Maui, Hawaii, where he worked for Kaiser Permanente Medical Group. In his semi-retirement years, he grew Protea flowers commercially and was a woodworker. He moved to Blair, NE in July 2002, where he lived until his death, Oct. 27, 2004. Survivors include his loving wife, Jurene; 5 children, Joanna Gjerde, Blair, NE; Patricia Merselis, Las Vegas, NV; Kent Merselis, Phoenix, AZ; James Merselis, Seattle, WA; John Merselis, Blair, NE; 7 gradnchildren; 4 great-grandchildren. There will be no public service. A private memorial service will beheld at a later date. The family requests no flowers, but rather a donation to your favorite charity.

CAMPBELL-AMAN FUNERAL HOME, Blair, NE 402-426-2191