Merlin Rydell

Merlin J. Rydell, 86, Rosholt, SD, died Friday, November 6, 2009, at the Elim Care Center in Fargo, ND.             Funeral Services were Tuesday, November 10, at 1:30 p.m. at Bethania Lutheran Church in Rosholt with Pastor Mike Montgomery and Rick Sando officiating.  Music was provided by organist Lana Sand.             Burial was at the Bethania Cemetery, Rosholt.  Military honors were provided by the Read-Veflin American Legion Post 180 of New Effington, SD and the Leo American Legion Post 48 of Rosholt.  Pallbearers were Marcus Montgomery, Michael Rydell, Jack Rydell, David Rydell, Terry Rydell, and Robert Lick.             Visitation was Tuesday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the church.              Memorials may be directed to the Bethania Lutheran Church in Rosholt or any charity of your choice.             Merlin Jerome Rydell was born December 20, 1922 in rural Fairmount, ND, the son of Andrew and Mary (Fredrickson) Rydell.  He was baptized May 27, 1923, and confirmed November 8, 1936, at Augustana Lutheran Church in White Rock, SD.  After completing school in Fairmount, where he was known as "Shorty" by his friends and family, Merlin went on to serve his country from March 1945 to August 1946 in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II.  On December 14, 1946, he married Evelyn Sando at Bethania Lutheran Church in Rosholt, SD.  They lived for a short time in Fargo, ND, while Merlin attended Dakota Business College.  They returned to Rosholt, where he was employed by Ireland's Lumber Company.     Their four children were born while the family lived in Rosholt: Constance, Charles, Joan and Karen.             In 1961, Merlin was transferred to Grand Forks, ND, with Ireland's Lumber Company.  In 1971, the family moved to Phoenix, AZ, where he continued in the lumber business at O'Malley's Lumber Company.  Upon the death of his beloved wife, Evelyn in 1991, he returned to Rosholt where he spent time with friends and family including his sister Helen Rydell Leverson and brother Manley Rydell.  He later married Doris Westby Anderson and for several years they divided their time between Arizona and South Dakota before returning to live full time in Rosholt.         Merlin remained in Rosholt where he moved from his home to the Rosholt Care Center and Countryside Inn Assisted Living before moving to Elim Care Center in Fargo, ND in June 2008.  In July 2008, Merlin was able to attend the annual Rydell Family Reunion at the family farm site where he was joyously reunited with his three surviving siblings Manley, Joyce, and Allan (Bob).  He spent a wonderful day with his sister and brothers, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces & nephews, and great nieces & nephews.             Merlin spent his free time fishing, hunting, golfing and growing strawberries.  He was active in the Bethania Lutheran Church, Rosholt Volunteer Fire Department, Rosholt Commercial Club, the American Legion, and Sertoma Club of Grand Forks and Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Phoenix. He enjoyed visiting with friends & family and made new friends wherever he went.           He will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor, his bright smile & quick wit and especially for his love for his family. He instilled a strong work ethic in his children and, along with his wife Evelyn, provided unconditional love and support.  He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.             He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn; his parents Andrew and Mary; brothers -  Stanley, Edwin, Bernie, Ernest, Douglas, Manley and Allan; sisters – Edna, Helen and Ruby; two great-granddaughters, Lauren Zellers and Sophia Rydell; and three half-brothers - Carl, Edwin and Clarence.             He is survived by his four children: Constance (Gary) Olson of Fargo, ND; Charles (Catherine) of Bismarck, ND and Detroit Lakes, MN; Joan (Michael) Montgomery of Fargo; and Karen (Charles) Shaffner of Palmyra, PA; 8 grandchildren:  Kimberly (Kurt) Zellers, Jennifer (Ryan) Huyser, Michael (Anne) Rydell, Shannon (Timothy) Demant, Chad Montgomery, Marcus Montgomery, Bonnie Shade and Annie Shade;  and 9 great grandchildren:  Reagan and William Zellers; Katherine, Emma and Jack Huyser; Audrey Rydell; Joshua, Katelyn and Janae Demant; his sister, Joyce (Miles) Johnson; four sisters-in-law:  Phoebe Rydell, Iona Rydell, Betty Rydell and Mary Ann Rydell; brother-in-law, Donald (Audrey) Sando and numerous nieces and nephews.