Merlin J. Parkhurst, 91, passed away June 22 at the Sterling House in Sussex, WI. He was born November 3, 1923 in the Town of Drammen to the late Guy A. and Clara (Simonson) Parkhurst.
He married Virginia Bernice (Wright) on September 7, 1946 and moved from the Eau Claire area to southeastern Wisconsin in search of work. In 1948 he began work at J.I. Case Co. and one of the original drivers of the company fleet.
As the family grew, a house was built in Sturtevant, WI, then rural Kenosha County before returning to Sturtevant and eventual retirement in the Eau Claire area.
Merlin and Virginia were founding members of Sturtevant Lutheran Church which later became Faith Lutheran Church. In 1998 he married Anna (Johnson) Severson and lived near Galesville, WI, up to the time of her death on Christmas Eve, 2011.
Merlin enjoyed his family and friends and never missed a family reunion. He enjoyed music (always a polka), playing cards, dominos and later solitaire on the computer. Once a friend they were never forgotten. The Haase family became like extended family sharing fishing trips, card games and many special occasions. He often could be heard saying "these Johnson girls take such good care of me."
He is survived by his three sons; Richard (Dona) of Woodbury, MN, David (Debbie) of Hartland, WI, and Michael Parkhurst of Westboro, WI, stepdaughters Carol (Bob) Schmidt of La Crosse, WI, Laurie (Kurt) Marsh of Galesville, WI, five granddaughters Kristin (Sal) Lombardi of Brentwood, TN, Kelly Peiper of Waukee, IA, Kira (Kevin) Deck of Franklin, TN, Erin (Mike) Friemoth of East Troy, WI, Michelle (Devin) Anderson of Hartland, WI, eight great grand children, special niece Donna Eide, nieces, nephews and friends.
In addition to his parents, wives Virginia and Anna, Merlin was preceded in death by two brothers, Allen and Loren, stepson Gary Severson and brother-in-law Morris Johnson.
Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, June 30th at 11:00am at Central Lutheran Church in Mondovi, with a one hour visitation prior to the service at 10:00am. Burial will follow at Riverside City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Faith Lutheran Church, 8500 Durand Ave, Sturtevant, WI 53177. Kjentvet-Smith Funeral Home is assisting the family. You may share your online condolences at
www.kjentvet-smithfuneralhome.com
Visitation
JUN 30. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (CDT)
Central Lutheran Church
Mondovi, WI 54755
Funeral Services
JUN 30. 11:00 AM (CDT)
Central Lutheran Church
Mondovi, WI 54755
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