Merrill (Mh) Herman Seefeldt

Merrill (MH) Herman Seefeldt, long-time Clark County farmer died Friday, March 22, 2013 at Fay Wookey Memorial Assisted Living at the age of 99. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 27, 2013 from 5-7PM at the Furness Funeral Home at Clark and will continue on Thursday morning after 9:30AM at the Church. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 11:00 AM in the Plymouth Congregational UCC Church in Clark. Spring burial will be held at the Rose Hill Cemetery at Clark. Merrill was born December 13, 1913 in Darlington Township, Clark County to August C. and Jessie (Galligan) Seefeldt. He attended Darlington Township School and for a short time Logan High School. He began his farming career at an early age maintaining flocks of sheep on his own while working for his father and neighbors. He also spent some time in Nebraska working with sugar beets with his grandfather. In 1937 he married Bernice McGraw who taught in the Logan neighborhood and they bought their first farm in 1938. They had two daughters, Marilyn Steiger and Donna Reidburn. Early in their marriage Merrill and Bernie raised sheep and farmed with horses. To supplement his farming operation he travelled around South and North Dakota shearing sheep. He and Bernie expanded their farm by adding cattle, pigs, chickens, goats, dogs and more horses. During their years on the farm they had a number of men and women who were their hired helpers who became life-long friends. They also provided housing for the local country school teachers. Bernice passed away in 1957. He married Angela K. Becking in 1959 in Clark. They continued building their farming operation by adding more cattle, horses, and various crops. They also began raising registered German Shepard dogs. Merrill was a steward of the land determined to plant trees and protect the native grasses. He was known as an inventive repairman and mechanic. If he encountered a problem on his farm, he would find a way to solve it or consult until he discovered an answer. He was known for his sense of humor and his willingness to help those in need. Merrill enjoyed hunting, going to auction sales and rodeos and scouring the "green sheet" for deals. "Uncle Brother" as he was known to his many nieces and nephews was a loving husband and father who was an excellent cook and enjoyed the enthusiasm and energy of children. In his 99 years Merrill saw a tremendous change in science and technology and was interested in what was new. He was a member of the Plymouth Congregational Church, the American Quarter Horse Association, NRA and received recognition for being a customer of the PCA for over 50 years. Merrill Seefeldt is survived by his daughters Marilyn (Walter) Steiger of Clark and Donna (Bill) Reidburn of Watertown. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Brenda (Todd) Jenkins and Rod Steiger of Clark, Chris (Ali) Reidburn of Watertown and Renee (Mike) LeBrun of Mitchell. Also surviving Merrill are seven great-grandchildren: Tony (Heather), Becky and Tyson Jenkins, Liam and Austin Reidburn and Luke and Lawson LeBrun and two great-great-grandchildren Izabella and Sophia Jenkins. Also surviving Merrill are his sister Mildred Drake and many nieces and nephews and special friends Steve and Marlene Dreher and family. He was preceded in death by parents and his wives , his brother Merritt Seefeldt, sisters-in-law Edna and Genve Seefeldt, his sister and brother-in law Myrtle and Bob McGraw and brother-in-law Bertram Drake. Funeral arrangements are with the Furness Funeral Home at Clark where there is an on-line registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com