Merle W. Lenz of Weslaco, TX went to be with his Heavenly Father on May 20th, 2014 at the age of 85.
Merle was born in Sisseton, South Dakota to William and Elsie (Koeppe) Lenz on December 7th, 1928. He attended school in Sisseton and graduated in 1946. Merle worked on his uncles farm for 3 years before enlisting in the United States Air Force in 1949. After his military commitment, he worked at Northern Pump (later FMC Corporation) for 31 years, retiring in 1980.
Merle married Darlene Handahl on August 21st, 1954 in Fridley, MN and would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year. Merle was antsy to get back to the farm, so he and Darlene bought a “hobby farm” in Isanti in 1958. He was a member of North Isanti Baptist Church where he served as deacon and Sunday School teacher. Merle and Darlene became youth leaders for many years and their home was always open to young people.
After retiring from FMC, they moved to McGregor, MN and became members of the Lions Club where Merle received the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award for his community service. Merle and Darlene owned and operated the feed store and greenhouse in McGregor for 10 years. They spent winters in the Rio Grande Valley, TX before moving to Weslaco, TX permanently in 2005.
Merle and Darlene served as administrators of the Mexican Childrens Refuge which is a scholarship program to keep students in school. Many of these students went on to be Drs, dentists, and teachers because of Merles dedication to providing funding for students to go to school. He spent tireless hours getting sponsors for students, which in turn developed in to a special bond between student and sponsor. Merle was involved in building a medical clinic in Nuevo Progresso, Mexico to provide medical, dental and vision for the residents in need of health care.
Merle was currently involved in the plans to build a hospital in Nuevo Progresso as well. He drove 1600 miles on short notice to get beds that were being replaced in a hospital in Minnesota for the hospital in Progresso.
Merle was always giving whether it was driving a friend and sitting with them at this hospital, or taking care of others properties in TX when they went home for the winter, or driving them to chemo treatments or a variety of other needs. He collected newspapers and brought them to Progresso to be made in to piniatas, giving someone an opportunity to make a living.
Merle is survived by his wife of 59 years, Darlene, daughters Laurief Bob) Dochniak and Dianne (Ken) Coyne both of Cambridge, MN, grandchildren Monica (Eric) Swenson, Luke (Nlcki) Dochniak, Diana (Adam) Dordal, Michelle (Steve Jones), Andrew Coyne, and Jenny Coyne (Jake Heisinger), great- grandchildren, Natalie, Cole, Ian, Amarya, Tristan, Kaitie and Sarah. He is also survived by his brother Ron Lenz and sister Jeanine (Richard) Harper and many friends and countless students.
A celebration of Merles life was held Saturday, May 31 at North Isanti Baptist Church in Cambridge, MN