The funeral service for Merlin “Merle” S. Seath, of rural Ellendale, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 19, at Bonnerup Funeral Service Chapel in Ellendale. The Rev. George Marin will officiate. Interment will be in Freeborn Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded by New Richland American Legion. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Friday at Bonnerup Funeral Service Chapel in Ellendale, and one hour before the service.

Mr. Seath died on July 16, 2003, at St. John’s Lutheran Home in Albert Lea. He was 84.

“Merle” was born on April 6, 1919, in rural Freeborn, the son of Sidney and Clara (Peterson) Seath. He grew up in the Freeborn area and graduated from Freeborn High School in 1937. Following graduation he did carpentry work and farmed with his dad.

From 1942 until his honorable discharge in 1946, Merle served our country during World War II in the U.S. Navy on the USS Arikara. When he returned from the service, he farmed near Wells.

On June 1, 1952, he married Meralda 0. Trogstad at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. In that same year, he purchased a farm in rural ElIendale where he lived and farmed the rest of his life.

He was a member of the New Richland American Legion. Merle loved horses and had a great passion for bowling.

He is survived by three sons: Dale Seath and his wife Rita of Mankato, Rick Seath and special friend Carrie of Geneva, and Lyle Seath and his wife Shirley of Ellendale; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two sisters: Darlene Juveland of Albert Lea and Faye Nelson of Apache Junction, Ariz.; two brothers-in-law: Roland Trogstad of Albert Lea and Marvin Trogstad and his wife Donna of Mora, Minn.; sister-in-law, Elaine Seath of Hartland; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Meralda, in 2000; granddaughter, Heather; sister, Lorraine Carr; and a brother, George Seath.