Merle Francis Stamer

Merle Francis Stamer died Sunday October 22, 2017, at age 71, in his home, of cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family. A private memorial was held on October 25, 2017.  Merle was born on November 13, 1945, in Spring Grove, Minn., to Alvia and Andrew Stamer. He attended school in the Mabel area. On January 5, 1965, he married Diane Lois Bush; he lost her to cancer on October 3, 2013, which he confessed was the worst day of his life. Merle had many skills that he used to earn a living during his lifetime: mechanic, carpenter, plumbing, electrical, etc. He also taught many of these skills to his children and other family members. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, cooking, and baking. His latest feat was restoring a dune buggy to street legal condition during the last months of life; a grandchild will continue this project according to his vision. We have all been blessed by the lessons he taught us. 

Merle is survived by his daughter Sheila (Leah) Higbe of Whalan, and sons Daniel (Stacy) of Cherry Grove and Anthony (Joleen) of Harmony; grandchildren Sara McCallson (Curt), Shannon (Esther) McCallson, Michelle (Mike) Lecy, Anastasia Hongerholt (Chad), Ryan Stamer, Dalton (Samantha) Stamer, Zachary (Angel) Stamer, Daniel Stamer, Ruth Higbe-Harrah, and Greysen Higbe-Harrah.  He is also survived by great-grandchildren Brooke Lecy, Josiah McCallson, James Stamer, Daisy Stamer, Riley Volkmann, Blake Stamer, Isabelle Lecy, and Madison Erickson.  He is also survived by his sister Marlene, his sisters-in-law Joyce Finley and Katherine (Paul) Bostrack, his brother-in-law, Johnnie (Eileen) Bush. Many wonderful nieces and nephews who Merle loved dearly also survive him. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, his half-sister Ramona, sister-in-law Judy York, brother-in-law Leonard Bush and niece Shirley Darling.

Merle was truly a gentle soul who was accepting of all, he believed all were worthy of respect and welcome. One of his greatest concerns when dying was what would happen to his dogs. His family requests any memorials be directed to Paws and Claws Humane Society in Rochester, where his beloved pets await adoption.