16 Aug Merrill Flanders

Merrill Kelly Flanders, 84, of Robinson/Tuttle area, passed away August 13, 2019. A memorial service will be held Thursday, August 22, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, Robinson. Burial will be at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, Aug. 21, from 5 – 7 p.m. at Bismarck Funeral Home.

Merrill was born January 7, 1935 to Henry and Fern (Hart) Flanders at Lake Williams. He graduated from Pettibone High School in 1952. He then attended Agricultural College, now known as NDSU. He joined the Army and was discharged in 1954. Merrill taught school in rural Tappen and began farming at this time.

He married Arlene Witt on September 25, 1959. They farmed together until they retired in 2014. During this time, he also did construction work, primarily driving water truck. This was work that brought him great joy. He enjoyed listening to the Minnesota Twins games on the radio. He loved to dance with his wife Arlene. He loved to play cribbage, Monopoly and other games with his grandchildren.

Merrill and Arlene were blessed with five children: Merrill “Monte”, Bottineau, ND, Kelly (Mac Manalo), Henderson, NV, Dana (Will Johnson), Hudson, WI, Grant and Sanford (Candice), Steele, ND; and grandchildren: Blade and Brooke, Hudson, WI and Billi, Bottineau.

Merrill is survived by his wife; children and grandchildren; brothers: Marlowe (Paula) of Pettibone and Jerry, of Anaheim, CA; as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters and brothers-in-law, Phyllis & Alfred Laber, Elaine & LaVern Blinsky; nephews: Jeff Laber, Gary Laber and Mark Blinsky; and father-in-law, Art Witt.