Merrill Sundlee

Merrill E. Sundlee, age 76, of Willmar, died Monday, February 2, at the St. Cloud Hospital.

Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 6, at Vinje Lutheran Church in Willmar with Rev. Barbara Johnson officiating. Military honors will be provided by Austin F. Hanscom American Legion Post #167 of Willmar. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar.

Merrill Elwood Sundlee was born August 30, 1932, in Lac qui Parle County, near Montevideo, to Sigurd and Esther (Haugen) Sundlee. He was baptized at St. Petri Lutheran Church, and confirmed at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Montevideo. He attended school in District 15 and later Montevideo Public Schools, graduating in 1950 from Montevideo High School. He served in the U.S. Army from January 1951 to October 1952 during the Korean War. He was stationed at Camp Rucker, Alabama and Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Following his discharge he returned home and farmed with his brother, Orlin. He married Shirley Ann Saue October 17, 1953, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Montevideo. He was employed at Schall's Mobil, Farmer's Co-op Creamery, Anderson Super Service and Brandon Tire before becoming a partner in Monte Tire & Service. Merrill and Shirley retired in 1996 and moved to Willmar. He was employed for several years at Central Tire in Willmar. He was a member of Vinje Lutheran Church, Valley Golf Club and the American Legion where he served on the Honor Guard. He enjoyed playing softball, golf and cards. He also loved to watch his grandchildren's hockey games. He was a beloved husband, dad, grandpa, brother, uncle & friend.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley; a son, Mark Sundlee; and a daughter, Pam (and Chris) Meinert, all of Willmar. Also surviving are two grandsons, Justin Nelson (and special friend, Lindsay Anderson) of St. Louis Park and Brett Nelson of Minneapolis; two stepgrandaughters, Nicole (and Andrew) Plowman of Willmar and Danielle Meinert (and special friend, Bobby Nordgren) of Brooten; four brothers, Orlin (and Verna) Sundlee of Brooklyn Center, Kenneth (and Delores) Sundlee of Montevideo, Dennis (and LaVonne) Sundlee of Montevideo, and Loren (and Debbie) Sundlee of Yakima, Washington; two sisters, his twin sister Mary Ann (and Gordon) Jaenisch of rural Maynard, and Sharon Olson of Lake Stevens, Washington; many nieces & nephews; and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by an infant son, Larry Alan Sundlee; his parents; his wife's parents; two brothers-in-law, Rollyn Olson and Dale Saue; and a nephew, Michael Sundlee.