(Photo) Merle Andersen, 89

Merle Charles Andersen, age 89, died Sunday, January 15, 2017. He was born August 19th, 1927, at the family farm of his parents, Rosie (Carlson) and Torvel Andersen. He was baptized November 6th, 1927, at Emmaus Lutheran Church in Kennard, Nebraska, and was confirmed there on June 16th, 1940. Merle attended school in Kennard and graduated from Kennard High School in 1944. Merle married Mardelle Elaine Kahnk on June 30th, 1946, and the couple were blessed with four children.

Merle began by farming with his father and also worked part-time for August Matzen, where he did custom spraying, picking, and drove truck. He purchased his first farm from Auggie in 1961 where they began their farming career raising crops, livestock, and their family. Merle and Mardelle farmed in Washington County for over 70 years east of Kennard. He served on the Kennard School Board, was a member of the Washington County Cattlemen, as well as the Papio-Missouri NRD. Merle and Mardelle had the opportunity to travel to Brazil with an NRD group where they were able to experience South American agriculture. They loved to travel and took several other trips with friends during the winter months to Las Vegas, California, Hawaii, as well as visiting their daughter, Nancy, in Ohio. He farmed full-time until he was 70 years old and continued to help on the farm with his son, Tim, and grandson, Jarett, until his passing. His passion and love of the farm was never-ending. To Merle, farming wasn't just a job — it was a way of life.

Merle is survived by his wife, Mardelle, of 70 years; daughter, Nancy (Chuck) Elvers, of Perrysburg, Ohio; son, Tom (Bev) Andersen, of Blair; son, Tim (Kim) Andersen, of Blair; 12 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Torvel and Rosie Andersen; son, Terry Andersen; grandson, Mark Andersen; and sisters, Evelyn Wulf and Phyllis Suverkrubbe.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday at First Lutheran Church in Blair, followed by burial at the Kennard Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday at Campbell Aman Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 6-8 PM.

#2 Omaha World Herald 17 Jan 2017

Andersen, Merle Charles Age 89 Passed away Sunday January 15th in Blair. He was born on August 19th, 1927 at the family farm of his parents Rosie (Carlson) and Torvel Andersen. He married Mardelle Elaine Kahnk on June 30th, 1946 and the couple were blessed with four children.Merle is survived by his wife Mardelle of 70 years, daughter Nancy (Chuck) Elvers of Perrysburg, Ohio, son Tom (Bev) Andersen of Blair, son Tim (Kim) Andersen of Blair; 12 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Torvel and Rosie Andersen, son Terry Andersen, grandson Mark Andersen, and sisters Evelyn Wulf and Phyllis Suverkrubbe. FUNERAL SERVICES will be held at 10:30am on Thursday at First Lutheran Church in Blair, followed by BURIAL at the Kennard Cemetery. VISITATION will be held Wednesday at Campbell Aman Funeral Home in Blair, with family receiving friends from 6-8pm.

#3 Funeral Leaflet

In Loving Memory of Merle Charles Andersen

Born August 19, 1927 Kennard, Nebraska ~ Entered Into Rest January 15, 2017 Kennard, Nebraska

Funeral Service 10:30 AM Thursday, January 19, 2017 First Lutheran Church Blair, Nebraska. Officiating: Pastor Scott Frederickson. Organist: Julie Morrow. Musical Selections: “On Eagles’ Wings”, “Amazing Grace”

Pallbearers: Jeremy Andersen, Jaret Andersen, Todd Andersen, Brad Andersen, Gary Andersen, Ryan Elvers, Jason Elvers

Honorary Pallbearers: Abranda Andersen, Jane Andersen, Marcie Ellenberger, Ben Ellenberger, Kristie Gage, John Gage, Ashley R. Andersen, Angie Elvers, Claire Elvers, Ashley M. Andersen, Rory Mullally, Mikki Mullally, Shelly Andersen, Abbi Gonzalez, Shauna Salazar, Angel Salazar

Graveside Services: Kennard Cemetery, Kennard, Nebraska

~~~ Obituaries and funeral leaflet courtesy of Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings and leaflets on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska~~~

FindaGrave #:175406732 Note: Merle is buried in the Kennard Cemetery, Blk 7 Lot 36 Sp 6. Find a grave # 175406732