Ronald Merkel

Our lives were turned upside down on July 2, 2018, when Ron Merkel left us for his eternal home.

Memorial service for Ronald Merkel will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 7, 2018, at Faith United Methodist Church in Spring Valley, with Pastor Donna Dempewolf officiating. Visitation will be held 4-7 p.m. Friday, July 6, 2018, at Faith United Methodist Church and will continue one hour prior to the service. Hindt Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Ronald Merkel was born October 10, 1944, to Harvey and Marcella (Jahns) Merkel in Spring Valley. He was baptized and confirmed at First English Lutheran Church. Ron attended and graduated from Spring Valley High School in 1963. After graduation he worked on the family farm with his dad. On January 4, 1969, he was united in marriage to Norma Kappauf at Woodcrest Baptist Church in Minneapolis, and to this union four children were born.

Ron was a man of many talents, the bigger the challenge the better he liked it. He built many bridges for friends around Spring Valley, but the latest was the bridge by the Spring Valley Ambulance Station that crosses the creek. He had a love for outdoors and his dream was to build a cabin, which he did in 2017 and enjoyed sleeping there until his passing. Ron loved to move buildings. He moved small houses, grain bins, and numerous other buildings like the Pietenpol hanger and was getting ready to move the Information Center in Spring Valley. He was a mentor to many young men.

He was a loving husband, grandpa, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend to many and will be greatly missed.

Ron is survived by his wife Norma, children: Joel (Becky) Merkel of Spring Valley, Jake (Peggy) Merkel of Spring Valley, Julie (Dustin) Eiffler of Cresco, Iowa, and Jared (Dana) Merkel of Rolling Stone, Minn.; 10 grandchildren: Katarina, Cody, Gavin, Elias, Audrey, Asher, Pearl Henry, Maia, Kilena, and Ruby; siblings: Barbara Mattison and Gene (Darlene) Merkel all of Spring Valley, Minn.; Vicki (Paul) Bowen of Lime Springs, Iowa, Carol (Gary) Broadwater and Steve (Sandy) Merkel, both of Spring Valley; and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law Gary Mattison.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the family.

Online condolences may be left at www.Hindtfuneralhomes.com.