Merle A. Widley

Merle Widley, 87, Hunter, ND died on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 at Essentia Health, Fargo, ND.

Merle Allen Widley was born March 18, 1931 near Hunter, ND to Theodore and Lillian (Hanson) Widley. He grew up on the family farm in Bohnsack Township of Traill County. He graduated from the Bohnsack Rural School. His father died in 1948 at which time Merle began farming at the age of 17. He married Phyllis Kennedy on June 27, 1954 in Hunter. They farmed at Hunter for many years retiring in 1998.

He served on the Dakota School Board, Hunter Grain Board, Green Field Township Board and First Lutheran Church Board and Council.

Merle enjoyed time with his children and grandchildren, reading historical books and biographies, watching reruns of "MASH" and basketball games. He loved sitting in the back row at church watching his wife play the organ and giving candy to the children. In recent years, he and Phyllis enjoyed visits from the young children of the child care center in Hunter when they stopped at the house. Merle was still a farmer at heart and enjoyed driving the countryside looking at the crops.

He is survived by his wife, Phyllis; three daughters, Robyn Widley, St. Paul, MN, Lori Jo (Dan) Plambeck, Fargo and Julie (Brian) Schnell, Edina, MN; six grandchildren, John, Jesse and Stephanie Plambeck, Hayley (Tyler) Erstad, Jordie and Jaime Schnell; sister, Jeanne Zimmerman, Grand Forks, ND; sisters-in-law, Audrey Binger, West Fargo, ND and Roberta (Leo) Pulskamp, Grand Rapids, MN; and several nieces and nephews.

Merle was preceded in death by his parents; son, Brian; and brothers-in-law, Jim Binger and LaVern Zimmerman.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the First Lutheran Church in Hunter or the charity of your choice.

Funeral:  Monday, August 6, 2018 at 2 PM at First Lutheran Church, Hunter with visitation one hour prior.

Burial: Hunter Cemetery.

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

westfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Merle A. Widley, please visit our floral store.