Merlyn Dittberner

October 6, 1927 - January 11, 2020

The funeral service for Merlyn Dittberner of Parkers Prairie will be held at 11:00a.m. on Friday, January 17, at the United Methodist Church in Wrightstown with Pastor Mark Bateson presiding. Visitation will be held on Thursday at the Domian-Anderson Chapel in Bertha 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. and will resume at the church on Friday one hour prior to the service. Merlyn, age 92, passed away on Saturday, January 11, 2020, at Tri-County Health Care Hospital, Wadena, MN. Merlyn “Merle” Allan Dittberner was born to William and Anna (Holt) Dittberner on October 6, 1927, near Parkers Prairie, MN.  Merle lived his entire life in southeast Otter Tail County, the last 70+ years in Woodside Township until his passing. Merle and Jacquelin “Jackie” McKellep married on October 24, 1948, eloping in the Fargo-Moorhead area.  They returned to Woodside and soon started their own small beef and crop farm which is going yet in 2020.  Merle supplemented that small farm income with several decades mowing road ditches for OTC, starting with a two horse team and mower.  He served his neighborhood as Woodside Cemetery sexton for 46 years and also as a township board officer. Whether with family or friends, Merle always found time to visit.  He had lasting friendships with people from Nimrod to Ashby, Osakis to Ottertail, and all points in between.  If those visits include horse talk or playing cards he was happier yet.  Merle was a yearly deer hunter, in younger years an excellent water skier, and loved going to the Huntersville Trail Ride each fall.  Polka music and dancing were high on his list, as was completing another Sudoku puzzle book. Merle lived and survived by his own terms: using horses rather than tractors to farm when he could, never bought a new car or machine, stayed away from bank loans, had no credit cards, and never used the internet, but was always happy and content throughout his long life. A middle child, Merle was preceded in death by his brother Ralph and sister Ione Frandle, and also grandson Travis Dittberner.  He will be greatly missed by his wife Jackie of 71+ years, son Kenneth (Lynette) from Hinckley, daughter Dawn (Gene) Captain in Bertha, and son John (Rhonda) of rural Parkers Prairie, 7 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Serving as pallbearers will be Merle’s grandchildren. Close friend, Dave Kaste and his horse-drawn wagon will bring Merlyn to Woodside Cemetery, near Wrightstown, MN for burial.