 Aitkin County, Minnesota  Karen Klennert and are from the Aitkin Independant Age Newspaper.
Sylvia J. Merboth, 69, McGregor, suffered a stroke on Thursday, October 31, 2002, and died at the St. Mary's Hospital of the Mayo complex in Rochester on Nov. 10, 2002. She was born Sylvia Jeanne Starr on Feb. 17, 1933, in Lena, Ill., the daughter of Floyd and Mayme Starr. She graduated from Lena High School in 1951 and attended the nurse's training program at Deaconess Hospital in Freeport, Ill. While in her first year of nurse's training she met a young patient by the name of John Merboth. She graduated as a registered nurse in 1954 and she married her favorite patient on September 9, 1955. While he was attending the University of Illinois she worked as a surgical scrub nurse in Champaign, Ill. In 1960, she and John moved to Minnetonka where they lived until 1997. During this time she worked part-time as an RN in the Minnetonka General Practice Clinic. She also served as a leader of Camp Fire Girls and was very active in the Minnetonka United Methodist Church serving on virtually every board as well as teaching Sunday School to first and second graders. She and John retired to their lake home on Big Sandy Lake and she had become very active in the McGregor United Methodist Church and has served as a district officer of the United Methodist Women. She also was an avid "birder" and enjoyed quilting, breadmaking and gardening. A Celebration of Life memorial service was held on Nov. 16 at the McGregor United Methodis Church, with Pastor Roy Vanderwerf officiating. Per her wishes she was cremated with her remains to be interred in a private family setting. Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers and may be directed to the Sylvia J. Merboth Memorial Fund. She is survived by her husband, John; children and their mates, Jeffrey and Andrea Merboth; Susan VanLith and Scott MacDougall, Sandra and Roger Williams; grandchildre, Natalie, Heather, Taylor, Abraham, Joseph and Daniel; sister and brother-in-law, Linda and Robert Clair of Belvedere, Ill.; and brother-in-law, Arnie Fernstaedt, Bonita Springs, Florida. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Shirley Fernstaedt.
Rosalia (Sally) Catherine Muellner, 90, New Munich, died December 28, 2002, at the Pine Villa Care Center in Melrose. She was born September 4, 1912, in Beaulieu, the daughter of Joseph and Anna (Vorget) Fahnhorst, and raised in Albany. She was a proprietor of Matt's Bar in New Munich for 30 years, also Senior Companion for many Stearns County residents. She was an active member of the Ladies VFW Auxiliary and the Christian Mothers Society. Services were held January 3 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich with Rev. Roger Klasen O.S.B. officiating. Jeannie Bonfig played the organ and sang. Honorary pallbearers were Keith Fahnhorst, Wayne Fahnhorst, Kenny Vogel, Bob Wahley and Richie Wahley. Burial was private. She is survived by her foster daughters: Jeanne Hoppe, New Munich, and Henrietta Pflipsen, Anoka; sisters; Marge Whaley, Maplewood; Georgia Gray, Grand Bay, Alabama; Kay Bartleson, Roseburg, Oregon; Lorraine Steller, Little Falls; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Anna Fahnhorst; husband, Matty; brothers: Clarence, John, Ted, Victor and Jerome; and sisters: Veronica Vogel and Jan Braun-Secord. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made for masses. Arrangements were with the Willim-Northland Funeral Home of Aitkin.
Mother of Eleven* Dies At Spring Brook After Reaching the Age of Eighty-Two Mrs. Lydia Marmon, mother of eleven children, passed away very quietly at her home in Springbrook, N.D. on her 82nd birthday Nov. 14th (1935) after a gradual physical breakdown following poor health for several months. Funeral services were held this aftenoon at 2 o'clock at the Presbyterian Church with Rev. D.K. Ford officating. Immediately after the services the body was taken back to Williston from which place it will be shipped to Aitkin, Minn. where she will be laid to rest beside the body of her husband, Robert Marmon, who passed away in 1901. Mrs. Marmon was born Nov. 1853, at Black River Falls, Wis. When she was five years old she journeyed overland with her parents in ox carts to Elk Point, S.D. where she grew to young womanhood. She was married to Robert Marmon of that community in 1869. They lived there for eleven years after which they moved to Aitkin, Minnesota. She came to this section with her husband in 1899, and resided at Grinnell one winter, returning to Aitkin in the spring where she resided until 1927 when she came to Spring Brook to be near her children during the sunset of her life. She leaves to mourn nine sons, two daughters, sixty-one grandchildren, forty-four great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. * Lydia actually had thirteen children Note: Her actual birthdate is Nov. 19, 1853 Contributed by Michalene Cardella, great-grand niece Source: not given (Continue for second account)
Burial with gravesite services were held at the Diamond Lake cemetery on Wednesday afternoon for Mrs. Lydia Marmon, widow of Robert Marmon, who died Thursday, Nov. 14th at Spring Brook, N.D. from a stroke of apoplexy. The body was brought here accompanied by LeRoy Marmon of this village, who had been with his mother a short time and another son, Morgan Marmon. The following obituary appeared in Mrs. Marmon's home paper: Death came quietly yesterday to Mrs. Lydia Marmon mother of 11 children, on her 82nd birthday at her Spring Brook home. Physicians attributed her death to a gradual breakdown of physical forces following poor health of several months. Funeral services will be held Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Tioga Presbyterian church with Rev. Victor Gilbertson officiating. Following services the body will be shipped to Aitkin, Minn., where the Williams county mother will be laid to rest beside the body of her husband, Robert Marmon, who passed away in that community in 1901. Mrs. Marmon was born November 14, 1853, at Black River Falls, Wis. When she was five years old she journeyed overland with her parents in ox carts to Elk Point, S.D. where she grew to young womanhood. She was married to Robert Marmon in that community in 1869. They continued to make there home there until they moved to Aitkin 11 years later. In 1927 she came to Williams county to settle in Spring Brook and be near her children in sunset years of her life. She first came to this section with her husband in 1899 in a covered wagon. They spend the winter at Grinnell and in the spring returned to their Minnesota home. The pioneer mother besides 12 children is survived by 61 grandchildren, 44 great grandchildren and one great grandchild. The children, nine sons and two daughters, are: Maywood Marmon of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada; Mrs. Edward Timmel, Kalispell, Mont.; Robert of Jamestown; Mrs. M.J. Grubb of Boise, Idaho; Wesley, Harlan and Mort of White Earth, N.D.; Plaz of Big Fall, Minn; Leroy of Aitkin, Minn; Morgan and George of Spring Brook. Contributed by Michalene Cardella, great-grand niece Source: not given
From the Attica correspondence of the Aitkin, Minnesota, "Republican" we take the following particulars of the death of Mrs. Ruth Lacey's father: Robert Marmon who has been sick most of the time during the past two years, was taken worse on Saturday last, and died on Sunday morning (March 4, 1901) at 5 o'clock. Two of his sons were at work at a camp near Kimberly and were sent for, but they did not arrive in time to see their father alive. Mr. Marmon was a veteran of the Civil War, and throughout his long life was an ardent Republican in politics. He was born in Elkhart, Ind., June 28, 1828, and was therefore nearly 73 years of age. The funeral was held Wednesday, services being conducted by Rev. G.A. Wickwire, of Attica, and the remains were laid to rest in Mud Lake cemetery. He was a kind husband and father and was universally respected by his neighbors. A wife and fourteen children survive him. Contributed by Michalene Cardella, great-grand niece Source: Aitkin, Minnesota, "Republican"
Richard Morgan, 62, died February 26, 2003, at his home in Braham. Richard Kenneth Morgan was born September 19, 1940 to Kenneth and Laura (Ellefson) Morgan in Deerwood. He attended grade school in Deerwood and graduated from Crosby High School. Rich served in the Navy then lived in Colorado before returning to the Crosby/Aitkin area where he married Arlene Jones on Sept. 30, 1961. In 1969, they moved to Braham and he began working for East Central Energy. He was a member of the Braham Evangelical Lutheran Church and a member of the Trapper's Association. Services were held March 3, at the Braham Evangelical Lutheran Church with Reverend Richard Chronis officiating. Elaine Johnson played the organ. Pallbearers were David Berg, Kenneth Anderson, Butch Erickson, Alver Lindberg, Allen Belhom and Steve Tollefsrud. Internment was in the St. John's Lutheran Cemetery near Aitkin. He is survived by his wife, Arlene, Braham; sons and daughters-in-law, Kevin, Braham, Jeffrey and Julie, Pelican Rapids; daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Moses Dukuly, Brookly Center; seven grandchildre; brothers, James and David both of Arizona; sisters and brothers-in-law, Marge and James Daly, Baxter, Mary and Larry Nelson, McGregor; mother-in-law, Ann Jones, Iron Hub, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Betty Block. Arrangements were with Rock Mankie Burial and Cremation Service of Braham.
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 1929. DAKOTA PIONEER DEAD IN AITKIN Mrs. McHugh Was Among First White Women in Langdon Area. Aitkin, Minn., March 19 Mrs. Rosa McHugh, one of the first white women to settle in Langdon, N. D., died at a hospital at the age of 77. More than half a century ago Mrs. McHugh and her husband, Patrick McHugh, drove by wagon from Omaha, Neb. to Langdon. There she gave birth fifty-six years ago to a son, the first white child born in Langdon. The woman's husband, a member of the Constitutional assembly when the Constitution of North Dakota was drawn up, was the founder of Langdon. He was a representative in the house of representatives from Cavalier county for several terms. While residing at Langdon he was banker, rancher and business man. He died in 1902. Mrs. McHugh, who had taken an active interest in business and civic affairs at Langdon, had made her home the last three years with a son, D. Roderick F. McHugh, Aitkin. Besides Dr. McHugh, she is survived by three sons: Robert, Los Angeles; George Francis, Minneapolis; John E., Seattle; two daughters: Sister Antonio, a dean of St. Catherine's college, St. Paul, and Rose, Crescotown; and two sisters: Mrs. Ellen Ward, Detroit, Mich.; and Mrs. J. J. Mahoney of Omaha, Neb. The body has been taken to Langdon for burial. Source: Duluth Herald Newspaper
Blanche Harriet Moore, 86, Bay Lake, died June 23, 2003 at the Cuyuna Regional Care Center in Crosby. She was born December 10, 1916 in Aitkin County to George and Rosabell (Mattutat) Rodgers. She and her husband Kenneth "Denny" ran the riding stable at Ruttger's Resort from 1941 until 1986. Funeral services were June 26 at the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby with Greg Meyer, AiM, officiating. She is survived by nieces and nephews. Her husband, three sisters and two brothers preceded her in death.
Funeral services for stillborn baby boy, Linkin R. Moy, were held April 5, 2003. Linkin is survived by his parents, Roger Moy and Regina Catlin, Silver Lake; paternal grandparents, Gerald and LuAnn Moy, Lester Prairie; maternal grandparents, Magdalena and Timothy Swan, Lester Prairie, and Gregory and Dawna Catlin-McKittrick, Hill City; paternal great grandparents, Roger and Marie Moy; maternal great greadparents, Clarence and Marie Moss, Elizabeth Catlin, Al and Doris Knutson, Richard and Joyce Swan; aunts and uncles, Scott Moy, Serenity Catlin, Yancey Catlin, Tiffaney Catlin, Naomi Catlin, James Morin, Mariah Morin, Crystal Catlin, Rosanna Pawelk; as well as many other relatives. He is preceded in death by his paternal great grandparents, Eldon and Lillian Uecher, and maternal great grandfather, Chester Catlin. Services were held at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Lester Prairie, with Reverend Grant Bode officiating. The organist was Jane Holasek. The duet of Amazing Grace was sung by Serenity and Tiffaney Catlin. The congregational hymns were Jesus Loves Me, I am Jesus' Little Lamb, and The Lord is My Sheperd. Serving as pallbearers were Scott Moy, Shane Brueggemeier and Crystal Catlin. Interment was in the St. Joseph's Catholic cemetery in Waconia. Arrangements were with the Paul-McBride Funeral Chapel in Lester Prairie.
 Contributed by Karen Klennert Source: Grand Rapids Herald Review and Aitkin Independent Age
 Grand Rapids Herald Review
William Megarry, Co-partner in Megarry Brothers general contractors, died suddenly at his home at 10:30 p.m. January 2, death caused by a heart attack. The funeral will be at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at the First Methodist church with Rev. russell A. Huffman officiating and burial in North Star cemetery. William Loffer Megarry was born April 28, 1890 at Leola, South Dakota, son of Francis Bennett Megarry and Anna (Stewart) Megarry who were early pioneer settlers in South Dakota when it was still a part of Dakota territory. In 1897, the family moved to northern Aitkin county which was then in the heart of logging and lumbering industry. William as a boy helped clear the woodland of his father’s homestead and while growing to manhood learned the craft of woodsman. In 1912 he and his two brothers formed the Megarry Brothers co-partnership which entered into production of forest products and general merchandising in Bain and continued in that business until 1926 when the firm entered the general construction industry of building modern highways, bridges, reclamation and flood control dams and built and helped build numerous airports during the war period. He at various times superintended construction projects in the states of Minnesota, North and South Dakota and Montana. Mr. Megarry identified himself with the Methodist church in all the communities where he lived and was generous in helping those in need. His father and mother were pioneer Methodists in northern Aitkin county. After living a number of years in Aitkin county, William Megarry and his family moved to St. Cloud in 1938 in order to be closer to central operations of the company. Mr. Megarry married Mary Bain on August 7, 1915 in Bain. To them were born two children, Francis W. Megarry and Charles Robert Megarry. There are two grandchildren, Barbara and Michael and also two brothers, David and Harry all of whom were business associates. Mr. Megarry was a member of Kiwanis. Contributed by Florence Allen Source: St. Cloud Times online-Obituaries
David S. (Dave) Megarry, 54, 396 First Avenue South, well known contractor, died Tuesday night following a brief illness. He was known throughout the midwest through his activities as head of the Megarry Brothers construction firm and locally in such activities as the Megarry Buick company, member of the board of directors of the Guaranty State bank and First National bank of Aitkin. Mr. Megarry was born Aug. 15, 1901 in Aitkin county a son of Francis and Anna Megarry. He married Melba Mattison on December 1926 and moved to St. Cloud in 1929, where he became a member of the First Presbyterian church. Mrs. Megarry survives with two daughters, Mrs. Lewis Gohman (Sarah) and Mrs. Dennis Patton (Nancy) of St. Cloud. There is one brother, Harry B. Megarry, also of St. Cloud. Friends may call at the Colbert Funeral home after 7 tonight. Funeral services will be conducted Friday at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian church. Remembrances may be made to either the First Presbyterian church or the National Foundation of Infantile Paralysis. (Died April 17, 1956) Contributed by Florence Allen Source: St. Cloud Times online-Obituaries
Last rites for Charles S. Megarry, former Aitkin resident were held last Friday afternoon from the First Methodist church in St. Cloud with the Rev. Russell Huffman officiating. Mr. Megarry died suddenly June 25, 1947 from an acute heart attack soon after registering into his hotel room in Fargo, N. D. Charles Stewart Megarry was born June 12, 1894 at Leola, S.D., the son of Francis Bennett Megarry and Anna (Stewart) Megarry, early pioneer settlers in the Dakota territory. The family moved in 1897 to the northern part of Aitkin county settling in Morrison Township, which was then the center of the logging and lumbering industry in Aitkin county. As a boy, Mr. Megarry learned the craft of woodsman and in 1912, he and his brothers, William, Harry and David formed a partnership and engaged in the production of forest products and general merchandising in Bain. They continued in that line of business until 1926 when the firm entered general construction work, building modern highways, bridges, reclamation and flood control dams and airports. In 1917 he was united in marriage to Bess M. Phillips of Lake City, and to them were born four children: Jean Elinor (Mrs. Carlton Eckberg), St Paul; Ronald Steward, Patricia Ann and Richard Charles all at home. Other survivors include a grandson, Carlton Eckbert, Jr., and his three brothers. The Megarrys made their home in Aitkin county for 48 years before moving to St. Cloud in 1945, to be closer to the central operations of the company. Pall bearers included Ernest Pearson and Ben R. Hassman, Aitkin; L. C. Murray, Des Moines, IA, formerly of Aitkin; John Hillman, John Trobeck and James H. Hill all employees of Megarry Bros. construction company. Among those from Aitkin attending the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. F. H. MacGregor, Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Ulman, Mrs. Howard Cluff, Mrs. W. F. Hudson and son, Bill, Mrs. Louis Johnson, Mrs. Howard Smith Sr., and daughter Betty, Mr. and Mrs. Ernie Pearson, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Thomas and Mr. and Mrs. Ben. Haasman. Contributed by Florence Allen Source: St. Cloud Times online-Obituaries
Harry B. Megarry, 86, a resident of Country Manor Health Care and Retirement Center, Sartell, and formerly of 204-33rd.. Ave. N., St. Cloud died Friday at St. Cloud Hospital. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church, St. Cloud with the Rev. W. T. Horst officiating. Burial will be in North Star Cemetery. Friends may call after 3 p.m. Sunday at the Daniel Funeral Home, St. Cloud. Mr. Megarry was born October 19, 1896 in Clay County to the later Francis B. and Anna (Stewart) Megarry. He married Bertha Jahnke, May 1, 1939 in Bismark, N.D. He worked with Megarry Brothers Construction Co for more than 55 years. He was a member of First United Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife, children, William J, Blaine, and Carole M., Minneapolis and two grandchildren. Mr. Megarry was preceded in death by four brothers and one sister. Contributed by Florence Allen Source: Daily Times, St. Cloud, MN/ Sat. April 23, 1983
On Tuesday morning, September 19, 1912 a few minutes after the midnight hour, Emma Jeannie Megarry, only daughter of Frank B. and Anna L. Megarry of Morrison Township, aged 10 years and 8 months passed from this earthly life to that which is immortal. Her trust was in Jesus and her last request to her parents and brothers was to meet her in Heaven. Five years ago last March she was taken down with the measles from which she never fully recovered, her weakness developing into throat and lung trouble which nothing mortal could hinder from doing its fatal work. Though suffering from ill health for so many years, only a few minutes before she passed away she said her life had been nothing but happiness. She leaves five brothers, Willie, Frank, Charlie, Harry and David who with her parents watched around her as she entered the spirit world. Her life was a blessing and her memory is sweet. “The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord”. Contributed by Florence Allen Source: The Aitkin Age Newspaper - 1912
A double tragedy in which the lives of Frank Megarry and Edward Higgins were sacrificed at Bain last Saturday shocked the people of this county in which the news was rapidly spread. The men were sinking a well to supply water for a highway camp. A curbed well had been dug about 45 feet when a drive point was to be used. Young Megarry was in the bottom of the well and Higgins, in attempting to go down with the point, fell into the pit. He struck on a platform, breaking his neck. The heavy pipe point was dropped and this struck Megarry in the face and caused instant death. Corner Spalding was telephoned to and instructed the removal of the bodies and went to Bain as soon as possible. Albert Culver was working near the well and made the discovery of the awful fate of the men. Frank Megarry was the second son of Mr. and Mrs. F. B. Megarry and was 23 years of age. He was a splendid young man of the best of character and active in business. All who knew him were his friends and his passing has caused universal regret. He is survived by his parents and three brothers, a sister having passed beyond about a year ago. Edward Higgins, was from Superior and unmarried. His mother at Killbourn, Wis., survives him and the remains were sent there for burial, after reaching Superior. Little is known of him here as he had been in the county but a short time. The funeral of Mr. Megarry was held at the family home at Waldeck Tuesday and Rev. A. L. Richardson and Rev. C. C. Sutton conducted the service. The burial was at Waukenabo. Mrs. Richardson, Mr. and Mrs. Hense, Ralph and Gwendolin Sutton and Miss Kempton attended from here. Contributed by Florence Allen Source: The Aitkin Age Newspaper - May 2, 1914
Ronald S. Megarry Ronald S. Megarry, 87 Roswell, GA Formerly of St. CLoud July 10, 1920 - June 3, 2008 Ronald S. Megarry, age 87, died Tuesday, June 3rd at his home in Roswell, Georgia. A private family memorial will be held at a later date. Ronald S. Megarry was a graduate civil engineer from the University of Minnesota and a veteran of the United States Army in World War II. He was president of Megarry Brothers, Inc., a construction firm, formerly of St. Cloud. Ronald was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Bess Megarry; wife, Dorothy nee Smith; sister, Jean Eckberg. Survivors include his daughter, Ann Ewald; son-in-law, Steven Ewald; grand-daughters, Megan and Gwen Ewald of Roswell, GA; sister, Patricia Petraborg; brother, Richard Megarry of St. Cloud. NEXT BACK |