1928
Martin
2016
Martin F. Meerkins
August 16, 1928 — May 14, 2016
Martin F. Meerkins, age 87, of Mazeppa died on Saturday, May 14, 2016 at his home in Mazeppa. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, May 18, 2016 at 11:00 AM at St. John's Lutheran Church in Mazeppa with Reverend Alan Horn officiating. Burial will be in Mazeppa Cemetery with Military Honors provided by American Legion Post #588 and Mazeppa Veterans Honor Guard. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 17, 2016 from 4:00 - 8:00 PM at the Mahn Family Funeral Home - Larson Chapel in Zumbrota and on Wednesday for one hour prior to the service at the church.
Martin Franklin Meerkins was born on August 16, 1928 in Zumbro Township, Wabasha County, MN to John and Elsie (nee Freiheit) Meerkins. He grew up in rural Potsdam, attended country school, Zumbro Falls Schools and graduated from Lincoln High School in Lake City in 1945. After high school, Martin drove milk truck for Zumbro Falls Creamery. On March 14, 1951 he entered the U.S. Army. He served during the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged on March 13, 1953. After his discharge he returned to the Zumbro Falls area and started working as an agent for Standard Oil Co. On February 19, 1955 he married Bonnie L. Miller at Lincoln Lutheran Church in rural Zumbro Falls. They made their home in Mazeppa and in 1975 he purchased the rights from Amoco and started Meerkins Oil Co. Martin, along with his wife Bonnie and son Steve who joined the business in 1976, drove truck, ran errands and any other job that needed to be done at Meerkins Oil Co. until the business was sold in 2008.
Martin was an active member of St. John's Lutheran Church, where he served as President and Secretary and did volunteer custodial work. He was also active with the Mazeppa Public Schools, serving as President of the School Board for many years. He also was a member of the Mazeppa Lions Club, American Legion Post #588 and had served on the Mazeppa Cemetery Board.
Martin is survived by his wife, Bonnie; children, Joleen (Frank) Skolte of Detroit Lakes, Steve (LeAnn) Meerkins of Mazeppa, Sandy (Bruce) Kinsella of North Mankato and Renee (Claus Weiler) Meerkins of Mound; grandchildren, Jill (Brandon) Dvergsten, Jason Skolte, Andy (Melissa) Meerkins, Kyle (Abbie) Meerkins, Matt and Adam Kinsella and Alison (Andrew Culver) Meerkins-Weiler; great-grandchildren, Zachary and Zoey Dvergsten and Brooklyn and Lucy Mae Meerkins.
Martin was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Janice; parents, John and Elsie Meerkins; brothers, Lloyd, Willard and Virgil Meerkins; sisters, Verneal Adams, Ruby Franz and an infant sister.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Autism Society of MN (AUSM), 2380 Wycliff St., #102, St. Paul, MN 55114, Mazeppa Veterans Honor Guard or Mazeppa Cemetery.
1475 Jefferson Drive
Zumbrota, MN 55992
Mazeppa, MN
Mazeppa, MN
Martin Franklin Meerkins was born on August 16, 1928 in Zumbro Township, Wabasha County, MN to John and Elsie (nee Freiheit) Meerkins. He grew up in rural Potsdam, attended country school, Zumbro Falls Schools and graduated from Lincoln High School in Lake City in 1945. After high school, Martin drove milk truck for Zumbro Falls Creamery. On March 14, 1951 he entered the U.S. Army. He served during the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged on March 13, 1953. After his discharge he returned to the Zumbro Falls area and started working as an agent for Standard Oil Co. On February 19, 1955 he married Bonnie L. Miller at Lincoln Lutheran Church in rural Zumbro Falls. They made their home in Mazeppa and in 1975 he purchased the rights from Amoco and started Meerkins Oil Co. Martin, along with his wife Bonnie and son Steve who joined the business in 1976, drove truck, ran errands and any other job that needed to be done at Meerkins Oil Co. until the business was sold in 2008.
Martin was an active member of St. John's Lutheran Church, where he served as President and Secretary and did volunteer custodial work. He was also active with the Mazeppa Public Schools, serving as President of the School Board for many years. He also was a member of the Mazeppa Lions Club, American Legion Post #588 and had served on the Mazeppa Cemetery Board.
Martin is survived by his wife, Bonnie; children, Joleen (Frank) Skolte of Detroit Lakes, Steve (LeAnn) Meerkins of Mazeppa, Sandy (Bruce) Kinsella of North Mankato and Renee (Claus Weiler) Meerkins of Mound; grandchildren, Jill (Brandon) Dvergsten, Jason Skolte, Andy (Melissa) Meerkins, Kyle (Abbie) Meerkins, Matt and Adam Kinsella and Alison (Andrew Culver) Meerkins-Weiler; great-grandchildren, Zachary and Zoey Dvergsten and Brooklyn and Lucy Mae Meerkins.
Martin was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Janice; parents, John and Elsie Meerkins; brothers, Lloyd, Willard and Virgil Meerkins; sisters, Verneal Adams, Ruby Franz and an infant sister.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Autism Society of MN (AUSM), 2380 Wycliff St., #102, St. Paul, MN 55114, Mazeppa Veterans Honor Guard or Mazeppa Cemetery.
Visitation
MAY 17. 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM (CDT)
Mahn Family Funeral Home, Larson Chapel1475 Jefferson Drive
Zumbrota, MN 55992
Visitation
MAY 18. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (CDT)
St. John's Lutheran Church - MazeppaMazeppa, MN
Service
MAY 18. 11:00 AM (CDT)
St. John's Lutheran Church - MazeppaMazeppa, MN
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Martin F. Meerkins, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Photo Gallery
Visits: 11
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors