Obituary of Merle Horan

Merle H. Horan, 94, of Verndale, formerly of Cambridge died on Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at his home. Merle Henry Horan was born August 20, 1916 tin Sioux Valley, Jackson County, Minnesota to John and Amelia (Untiedt) Horan. Merle grew up on the family farm where he helped with the farming duties. He was united in marriage to Ruby Thofson on September 29, 1938. They farmed in Freeborn County until the fall of 1947, when they moved to a farm which they purchased six miles east of Cambridge. Ruby and Merle raised their 12 children as well as operating the farm together. In the spring of 1973, they moved to Bertha, MN, where they operated a 440 acre farm and raised beef and dairy cattle. Upon retirement in 1977, Merle and Ruby bought a 27 acre hobby farm in Verndale, MN. Ruby passed away in December 1999 and Merle continued living on the farm. Merle was a 26 year member of the Cambridge Lutheran Church. He was alson very active in the threshing shows and was the founder of the England Prairie Threshing Club. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Ruby, daughters Shirley and Darlene, and son Richard. Merle is survived by his children, Helen and husband Jerry Dahms of Bertha, Betty and husband Sheldon Krantz of Cambridge, Audrey and husband Dennis Anderson of Vining, William and wife Beverly Horan of North Branch, Sharon and husband Paul Neunsinger of Ramsey, Marjorie Zortman of Mora, Gary and wife Mila Horan of Mora, Michael and wife Marsha Horan of Wadena, Merlin Horan of Moorhead, many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren, as well as other relatives and friends.