Merlin Fernholz

Merlin William Fernholz was born December 31, 1924 in Benson, MN to Bill and Florence (Collins) Fernholz. He served with the U. S. Navy during WWII. Merlin was united in marriage to Eunice Matter, December 30, 1947 in Benson, MN. They made their home in Minneapolis where Merlin attended Dunwoody Technology School where he studied industrial painting. They moved to Detroit Lakes where they purchased Fairyland Cabins in 1963. They operated the resort until retiring in 1994 and moved to Little Floyd Lake north of Detroit Lakes. Merlin was active in the Detroit Lakes community serving on the City Council, participating in the Democratic Party, Holy Rosary Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, MCCL and the V. F. W. Eunice died in 2000. Merlin enjoyed cooking, playing cards, painting beautiful pictures, being with family and friends, keeping in touch with the old friends that he met at the resort and trips to the casino. In retirement, he finally got to go fishing.

He will be remembered by many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and loving relatives. Survivors include 3 daughters and a son: Suzanne (Ed) Willman of Cottonwood, MN, Theresa (Ken) Nagel of Huntingtown, Maryland, David (Lee) Fernholz of Colorado Springs, CO, Mary Kay (Randy) Johnson of Moorhead, MN, 15 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, a brother, Kenny (Agnes) Fernholz of DeGraff and a sister, Theresa Doyle of Clontarf, MN. In addition to his wife, Eunice, he was preceded in death by a son, John, his parents, a brother, Leon, his father and mother-in-law: Louis and Charlotte Matter, brothers-in-law: Louis and Arion Matter, Dwayne Doyle, Cletus Deiderich and sisters-in-law, Doris Diederich and Bernice Fernholz. Blessed be his memory.

Funeral Home: David Donehower Funeral Home 609 Hwy 10 East Detroit Lakes, MN US 56501

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Previous Events

Visitation
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Service
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
cemetery
Wednesday, June 4, 2014

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