Meryl G. Willert Sr.
Meryl G. Willert Sr., age 89 of East Grand Forks, MN passed away on Saturday, January 5th, 2013 at Valley Eldercare Center, Grand Forks, NDMeryl Grant Willert, Sr. was born on July 10, 1923 in Thompson, ND. He grew up on a farm with horses and loved them his entire life. He rode his favorite horse “Dynamite” to school as a teenager. He even had the image of a horse with roses and collar tattooed on his shoulder while serving in the Navy during World War II.
- Meryl G. Willert Sr.
Meryl G. Willert Sr.
Meryl G. Willert Sr., age 89 of East Grand Forks, MN passed away on Saturday, January 5th, 2013 at Valley Eldercare Center, Grand Forks, ND
Meryl Grant Willert, Sr. was born on July 10, 1923 in Thompson, ND. He grew up on a farm with horses and loved them his entire life. He rode his favorite horse “Dynamite” to school as a teenager. He even had the image of a horse with roses and collar tattooed on his shoulder while serving in the Navy during World War II.
Meryl started the service to his country on April 18, 1939 in the Minnesota National Guard. He served there until November 27, 1940. His calling to serve his country was so strong that he claimed he was 18 years old when in actuality he was only 16 at the time of joining the Guard.
Meryl was then called upon to serve his country in the United States Navy from December 17, 1941 until the end of World War II in late 1945. He proudly served as a Gunner’s Mate aboard the USS North Carolina Battleship and fought in more major battles than any other Battleship while out to sea. Also, during those years, he competed aboard and won 1st place in the Standing Military Barbell Curl competition competing against over 3,000 fellow sailors.
After returning to civilian life, he met and eventually married Mavis Reese on May 1, 1947 in Crookston, MN. He then began what would be his career as a bus driver. He enjoyed this journey for over 30 years. He worked extremely hard throughout his career and eventually owned and operated “Triangle Bus Lines” in East Grand Forks, MN for 20 years.
During his retirement years, Meryl enjoyed fishing at Lake of the Woods, spring bear hunting in Canada, nature television programs, and taking care of his lawn and garden at home. He was an extremely talented master mechanic and could fix literally anything. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family during all of these activities.
Meryl possessed a smile that would light up a room. He continued with this charm even during his last days at Valley Eldercare in Grand Forks.
Meryl is survived by his loving wife, Mavis of East Grand Forks; sons, Meryl (Julie) Willert Jr. of Fargo, ND and Jeffrey (Terri) Willert of Laguna Niguel, CA; Five Grandchildren, Shea, Bria and Grant Willert from Meryl; Beau and Lauren Willert from Jeffrey; One brother, Warren of Cambridge, MN; Three sisters, Gladys Baumgardner of Colorado Springs, CO, Glenna Johnson of Grand Forks, ND and Donna Haug of East Grand Forks, MN and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Ruby Novak and brothers, Vernon, Kenneth, Morris and Paul.
Funeral Service: 3:00 PM on Wednesday, January 9, 2013 in Wesley United Methodist Church, 1600 4th Ave. N., Grand Forks, ND
Visitation: 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM on Wednesday, January 9, 2013 in Wesley United Methodist Church, Grand Forks, ND
Military Honors Conducted by: East Grand Forks American Legion, VFW Post 3817 and North Dakota National Guard.
Online Guestbook: www.dandahlfuneralhome.com
Arrangements by: Dahl Funeral Home, East Grand Forks, MN
Tags: obituaries
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