Dean J. Merhiy

Dean’s funeral service will be livestreamed below starting at 1:00 PM Friday June 10, 2022.

Dean Jerome Merhiy, 69, Fargo, ND died on June 6, 2022.

Dean Jerome Merhiy was born December 18, 1952 in Fargo, ND to Smylie and Margie (Dahlen) Merhiy. He was confirmed at Davenport Lutheran Church and attended Davenport School until Kindred and Davenport consolidated his sophomore year. He graduated from Kindred High School in 1970 and attended North Dakota State University.

Growing up Dean spent his summers on Pelican Lake where he discovered the joy of boating and mastered the sport of waterskiing. Winters were spent snowmobiling and snowmobile racing with his dad. In high school and college he learned the construction trades while working at his father’s business, Kindred Plumbing & Heating. He attended NDSU where he lettered in track, joined the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and made life-long friends. He graduated in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He then went into the family business full time.

In 1974, Dean married Catherine (Cathy) Schulz at St. Andrews Lutheran Church in West Fargo, ND. They lived in Kindred and raised their two children, Courtnay and Eric. Dean was an active figure in the Kindred community and a faithful member of Norman Lutheran Church. From sponsoring track meets (KPH Invitational) and helping improve the city municipalities, to singing in the choir, playing drums in the band, and greeting people wherever he went, Dean was eager to use his gifts to make things work better and help people feel welcome.

Always up for the challenges of a growing business, Dean used his engineering way of thinking, common sense, and positive attitude to expand the heavy municipal services of Kindred Plumbing & Heating (KPH, Inc). He earned the respect of many people in the industry throughout the tri-state area, working on countless projects that improved communities and infrastructure. A hands-on guy, there wasn’t anything he didn’t feel he couldn’t do or challenges he couldn’t overcome. He loved “digging in the dirt” and “keeping the guys busy.”

As busy as work was, Dean was always ready to be with his family and friends. He loved going to the lake, cheering on the Bison, and taking trips to sunny destinations. To him, life was meant to be enjoyed. Dean was a man of integrity, fun-loving, and positive. His heart and love of life, even with dementia, will be missed, but not forgotten.

The family wishes to thank the loyal and dedicated staff at Parkside Lutheran, and Red River Hospice. A special thank you to Randy Huether for all his visits.

Dean is survived by his wife of 47 years, Cathy (Catherine Schulz), Fargo, ND, daughter, Courtnay (Brian; Everett, and Hadley) Suter, Excelsior, MN, Eric (Amber; Gavin, Gage, and Gracie) Merhiy, West Fargo, ND; sisters Nancy (Harold) Ebens, Kindred, ND, Jane (Tim) Miller, Rochert, MN, Cathy’s sister Barb (Dave) Gaddie, Duluth, MN, and Cathy’s brother Paul (Denise) Schulz, Davenport, ND. Dean is also survived by cousins, nieces, nephews, and many dear friends.

He was preceded in death by parents, Smylie and Margie Merhiy, father and mother-in-law, Delmer and Ardell Schulz, and brother-in-law, Greg Schulz.

Visitation will be held on Friday, June 10th from 11AM – 1PM followed by the funeral service at 1PM at Norman Lutheran Church, Kindred. Burial will take place at Kindred Cemetery immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Dean’s name to the church or charity that is most meaningful to you.