Merle Riddle

Merle Riddle, 86 years young, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on October 5, 2025. He was born in Wykoff, Minn., on June 25, 1939. His life was spent in the service of others. He spent four years as a SeaBee in the United States Navy, was a maintenance supervisor at Tonka Toys, and ended his career as maintenance supervisor at D.C. schools for many years, helping to oversee numerous construction projects and supervising the district’s custodial staff. While at D.C., he was also enlisted to temporarily head the HLW district maintenance department.

Merle was an accepting, loving, enthusiastic man with a very quick wit. He loved traveling, all things educational, sports of all kinds, especially those he and his children and grandchildren played, and was able to repair just about anything. He was a master woodworker and read the Strib cover-to-cover daily.

He is survived by his best friend and loving wife of 45 years, Barbar; his daughters Samantha (Jason) Nissen, Courtney (Todd) Wozniak, Kelly Riddle, and Peggy Korbel; grandchildren McKenna, Reese, and Camden Nissen; Hudson, Briggs, Morgan, and Bryce (Trinity) Wozniak; and Nick Korbel and Ashley Dovell. He is also survived by one sister, June (Wayne) Anderson; sister-in-law Tina Hamilton, brothers-in-law John (Yancey Thrift) Andreasen and Peter (Cathy) Andreasen. In addition, he is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews who loved him dearly.

Merle was preceded in death by his mother Lilly and father Alex, four sisters: Alice, Edith, Delores, and Harriett; and three brothers, Earl, Melvin, and Raymond. 

A special thank you to his Allina hospice team. Bless you all.

Merle was so deeply loved. Blessed be his memory always.