After a life of love and quiet grace, Merle Ihnen, 87, has passed.
Below, the family shares some of what made his life meaningful.
The story begins in 1931, with the arrival of a life that would be cherished by many.
Merle held deeply to the Methodist faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew him best.
Some find their compass in faith. Merle was among them.
Merle Ihnen Merle Ihnen, 87 of Alexandria and formerly of Parker died Sunday, June 9, 2019 at the Avera Brady Home, Mitchell. Funeral services will be at 10:30am Saturday, June 15, 2019 at the United Methodist Church, Parker with burial at Rosehill Cemetery, Parker. Visitation will be from 5-7pm Friday evening at the United Methodist Church in Alexandria with a Prayer Service at 7:00pm. Arrangements by Hofmeister Jones Funeral Home. Merle Ihnen was born on August 14, 1931 in Turner County, SD to Henry and Alice (Sikkink) Ihnen. He attended school in Hurley and lived in the Parker and Chancellor areas. At the age of 14 he was working as a cat skinner, an operator of a caterpillar tractor for his brother in law. On May 20, 1950 he was united in marriage to Ardell Reiners at Luverne, MN. They lived in Parker where he was employed with the Turner County Highway Department for 11 years and owned and operated Merle's Repair. His wife Ardell died in 2001. In April 24 th , 2004 he was united in marriage to Mary Reiners Ihnen at Alexandria where they have lived since that time. Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Mary; 4 children, Darrel, Parker, Doug, Harrisburg, Holly Unruh, Freeman, and Melonie (Lorin) DeVries, Lennox; 9 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren; 10 step children, Gary (Linda), Tea, Kathi (Dwayne) McIntyre, Salem, Marcia (Rick) Cheesman, Alexandria, Wanda (Jerry) Roskens, Emery, Loren, Alexandria, Dawn (Keith) Barse, Ethan, Debbie (Jeff) VanPelt, Tripp, Darcy (Dean) Esser, Canova, Randy (Michelle), Box Elder, and Kent (Debbie), Alexandria; 29 step grandchildren, 45 step great grandchildren, and 4 step great great grandchildren; and 2 brothers and a sister, George, Chancellor, Ronnie, Worthing, and Darla , Swan Lake. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ardell, sons in laws Dale and Mark, and 17 brothers and sisters.
