NEW ULM (formerly Hanska)

Merrill R. Anderson, age 83 of New Ulm (formerly Hanska) died peacefully on Tuesday, December 22, 2015 at the Oak Hills Living Center in New Ulm.

Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at Zion Lutheran Church in Hanska. Pastor David Webster will officiate, and burial will follow in the church cemetery following the service where full military honors will be provided by the New Ulm Area Comrades of Valor Honor Guard.

Visitation will be from 4-7 pm on Tuesday at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home- SOUTH CHAPEL in New Ulm and will continue one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the church in Hanska. To leave an online condolence for his family, or to sign the guestbook, go to www.mvfh.org

Merrill is survived by his wife, Betty Anderson of New Ulm; daughters, Sue (Jeff) Boettger of Andover, Nancy Anderson-Hanson of New Ulm, Merri (Mike) Roos of Isanti; son, Markeith (Holly) Anderson of Kimball; seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; sisters, Eloise Stram of South Haven, Glenda Anderson of Costa Mesa, California; half-sisters, Marlene Hermanson and Darlene Hartson of North Dakota; and half-brothers, Bruce and Lynn Slater of Oklahoma
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Merrilee Fay Anderson; great-grandson, Joseph Lueck; mother and father-in-law, Gilbert and Margaret Fladmo; brothers-in-law, Lyle Stram and Ove Anderson; and step sister Esther Fraase.

Merrill Rolland Anderson was born February 25, 1932 to Martin and Clara (Nelson) Anderson in Nome, North Dakota. He was raised by his aunt and uncle Rueben and Grace Welke on their farm in North Dakota. Merrill later enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served from 1951-1955 where he was stationed in Korea for a year as a munitions specialist, and later stationed in Rapid City, South Dakota. Merrill was united in marriage to Betty Fladmo on June 19, 1954 at Zion Lutheran Church in Hanska. The couple was blessed with five children whom together they raised in rural Hanska. Merrill enjoyed his life as a farmer, but also worked as a welder at Year Round Cab, a custodian at the Hanska Viking Center, and also for Kraft Foods in New Ulm. One of Merrill's favorite activities in life was travelling, especially trips where he and his wife would winter in Texas. He also enjoyed bowling, reading, and tutoring children while in Texas. What gave Merrill the greatest enjoyment was spending time with his family. He always appreciated gathering with his family for yearly family reunions, but truly treasured time he got to spend with his grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Merrill was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Hanska where he served as a past member of the church council and also volunteered as a Sunday school teacher and a youth advisor.
www.mvfh.org