Merle Burshiem

Merle Burshiem, 90, Oak Park Heights, MN, formerly of Abercrombie, ND passed away on Monday, March 23, 2015 at Boutwell Landing Senior Living. Funeral services will be on Saturday, March 28, at 3:00 PM at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Abercrombie, ND with Rev. Michael Buller officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Emmanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Abercrombie. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Emmanuel Lutheran Church. Arrangements are entrusted to Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton, ND.

Merle was born on March 3, 1925 in James, SD to Julian and Clara (Wold) Burshiem. Early in life his family moved to Wahpeton, ND and he attended school there until the family moved to Abercrombie, ND in the late 1930's. Merle attended school in Abercrombie until he was seventeen when he enlisted in the US Army to serve in World War II. He served in the European Theatre and was honorably discharged at the end of the war. Merle then started working for Milwaukee Road Railroad and later the Soo Line Railroad until he retired as a foreman in 1987.

Merle was united in marriage to Virginia Monson on July 3, 1947 at Norwegian Lutheran Church in Wolverton, MN. The couple lived in Abercrombie and raised their two sons. Virginia passed away on May 31, 2001 and Merle continued to live in Abercrombie until he moved to Oak Park Heights, MN in September, 2013.

Merle was a member of the Abercrombie American Legion and the Sons of Norway. He had a quick wit and was an avid sportsman, liked to play cards and also kept a garden. Merle was very active in Abercrombie and served two terms on the town council and served as the local precinct chairman of the Democratic Party. Children were a special part of Merle's life, whether it was his own family or others, they were drawn to him and in kept him a child at heart.

Merle is survived by his sons, Jon (Linda) Burshiem, Naperville, IL, Steve (Sharon) Burshiem, New Hope, MN; his grandchildren, Eric Burshiem, Chicago, IL, Katherine (John) Langdon, Woodbury, MN, Lucas Burshiem, New Hope, MN; his sister, Morna Syvertsen, Wahpeton, ND; and numerous nieces, nephews, and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Virginia, and his brothers, Carlton, Dale, Norman, and John Burshiem.