Benjamin Merck

Ben Merck, 16, West Fargo, ND, recently diagnosed with ALS,  passed away on Tuesday, November 26, 2019, surrounded by his family at Sanford Hospital, Fargo, ND.

Benjamin “Ben” Anthony Merck was born November 21, 2003 in Fargo, ND.  On January 2, 2004, he joined the family of Mark and Linda Merck.  Ben was raised in West Fargo, baptized at St. John Lutheran Church in Fargo and was confirmed on Sunday, October 27, 2019, at Lutheran Church of the Cross in West Fargo.  Ben attended Aurora Elementary, Liberty Middle School and was currently a sophomore at Sheyenne High School in West Fargo.

He enjoyed football, basketball, baseball, soccer, hockey, music and especially hanging with friends. Ben truly enjoyed traveling and as a part of Make-A-Wish, flew to Houston, TX and met his favorite NBA star, James Harden, receiving a signed pair of shoes.

Left to cherish his life and memory are his parents:  Mark and Linda Merck of West Fargo;   grandparents:   Beatrice Merck of Minot, ND;  Glenn and Rita Olson of Devils Lake, ND;  aunts and uncles:  Shirley (Chet) Houmann of Westhope, ND,  Sharon (Ritch) Cargo of Towner, ND,  Jeff (Cheryl) Merck of Minot,  ND, Deb Cole of Devils Lake, ND, Todd (Sheila) Olson of Jamestown, ND,  Kirk (Billie) Olson of Mesa, AZ;  numerous cousins;  godparents:  Darrin & Shelly Hawley of Moorhead, MN and birth father:  Kenney Robinson of Fargo, ND.

Ben was preceded in death by his grandfather:  Frank Merck;  uncle:  Jerry Cole and cousin:  Zachary Cole. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made to Make-A-Wish North Dakota

or the Minnesota-North Dakota-South Dakota Chapter of the ALS Association.

Funeral:  10 a.m.  Wednesday, December 4, 2019, Lutheran Church of the Cross in West Fargo

Visitation:  5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at the church

Prayer Service:  7 p.m. Tuesday at the church

Burial:  Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery-South, Fargo, ND

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

westfuneralhome.com

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