Merlin Herzog

Merlin M. Herzog, Sr., age 86, of Detroit Lakes, MN, residing at Bethany Homes, Fargo, ND for the last year and a half, died on Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at Valley Memorial Homes, Woodside Village, Grand Forks, ND. He was born on July 7, 1922 in Melbourne, IA to William and Bertha (Johnson) Herzog. He graduated from Detroit Lakes High School on May 29, 1941. In August of 1942 he joined the United States Navy and served in both the Mediterranean and Pacific theatres. He was part of the 293rd Joint Assault Signal Corps, 2nd Beach Battalion attaining the rank of Signalman 1st Class. He was discharged on December 24, 1945. He married Fern Dickinson on June 7, 1947 in Mahnomen County, MN. They lived in Detroit Lakes and Merlin worked as a municipal employee for 30 years. He retired in 1980. In 2007 they moved to Bethany Homes in Fargo, ND. Merlin was active in the Jess-Omundson VFW Post 1676 assisting fellow veterans in numerous ways including participation in the honor guard for hundreds of funerals. He served as Post Commander and was a member of the Cooties. His greatest joy was time spent with family. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Fern; children: Larry Herzog (Yvonne) Grand Forks, ND, Douglas Herzog (Marilyn) Fargo, ND, Merlin Herzog, Jr. (Judy) Lake Havasu, AZ, Karen Heit (Dennis) Fargo, ND, Bruce Herzog (Joanne) Reno, NV, Lorrie Wise (Stan) Spring Lake Park, MN, Vicki Englund, Big Fork, MT; 22 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren; 1 great, great grandchild; and siblings: Harold ?Bud? Herzog, Renton, WA, Norma Johnson, Chula Vista, CA, and Mavis Sharp (Bill) Mesa, AZ. Merlin was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Will, Loren, Phyllis and Margaret Herzog. The Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, April 6, 2009 at Bethany Homes, Mavis Whiting Chapel, 201 South University Drive, Fargo, ND. Visitation will be held from 4:30 to 6:00 pm on Sunday, April 5, 2009 at Boulger Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at Bethany Homes.