Merle Manecke

Merle Manecke, age 74, of rural Fosston, MN, passed away on Sunday (November 12th) at his home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday (November 18th) at the Old Gym in Fosston High School with Glenn Rafferty officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday (November 17th) at the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home in Fosston and for one hour prior to the service on Saturday in the Old Gym. Arrangements are with the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home of Fosston. Family condolences may be sent at www.carlinhoialmen.com.Merle William Manecke was born on September 7, 1932 in Bemidji, Minnesota to parents Fred and Nellie (Preston) Manecke. He grew up in Bemidji and graduated from Bemidji High School. He entered the United States Air Force in February of 1951 and spent four years in Japan. He received his honorable discharge in February of 1955.Merle was united in marriage to Genevra Louise Nelson on June 22, 1958. Merle worked for the Minnesota Highway Department in Rochester, Minnesota and Owatonna, Minnesota for 20 years. He left to go into business in Fosston, Minnesota with his brother, Gene, at the Truck Stop (now T-Bears).A year later they built Manecke Truck Stop Café across the street from the station. It started small and ended up with seating for 200 people. In the mean time, Gene and Merle sold the Truck Stop and Merle started his most enjoyable career-janitor at the high school. He had so many enjoyable memories before he retired in 1996. Merle and Louise sold the café in 1995.In the spring of 1997, Merle and Louise set out on a new adventure and bought a concession stand and went to fairs, auctions, and rodeos and had a great time working together. Merle retired when health matters surfaced to spend some time with our most loved children and grandchildren and families.He was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witness in Bagley. Merle passed away early Sunday morning, November 12, 2006 at his home in rural Fosston at the age of 74 years, two months and five days.He is survived by his wife, Louise of Fosston; eight children, Perry (LuAnn) of Lengby, MN, Michael (fiancé, Debbie Kappedal) of Fosston, Joel (Wanda) of Fosston, Sarah (Jeff) Fischer of Fosston, Timothy (Michelle) of Lengby, Mark (Robyn) of Fosston, James (Stacy) of Lengby, and Jesse (Wendy) of Fosston. 24 grandchildren, Andrew (Miranda), Charitie, Faith, Alyssa, Kayla, Trista, Blake, Dustin, Tyler, Briana, Adessa, Alley, Shania, Peyton, Jordyn, Joshua, McKenzie, Cassidy, Lillie, Jenna, Tessa, Mallory, Sam, and Cameron Merle.Also surviving are three brothers, Leslie (Vivian) Manecke of Bemidji, Gene (Clara) Manecke of Fosston, and Paul (Yolanda) Manecke of Bemidji; two sisters, Marlene (Darrel) Hemker of Rochester, MN, and Karen (Gerald) Mielke of Rochester. Nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.He was preceded in death by his parents.Honorary Pallbearers will be all of Merle's family and friendsActive Pallbearers will be Andrew Manecke, Dustin Manecke, Tyler Manecke, Alyssa Manecke, Charitie Manecke and Adessa Fischer.