Robert Merritt
Robert Merritt, Sr., age 89, of Porter, Minn., passed away Sunday, July 9, 2023, at his home near Porter.
Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, July 14, 2023, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Canby, Minn., with burial at the St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery, Canby. Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel in Canby was entrusted with the arrangements.
Robert “Bob” Merritt was born on October 18, 1933, to his parents, William and Clara (Stolfus) Merritt, in Wergeland Township. He lived in the Porter area his entire life. He attended Porter Elementary School and graduated from Canby High School with the Class of 1951.
Bob was united in marriage to Mary Ann Lozinski on December 26, 1953, at the St. Leo Catholic Church. Born to this union were seven sons and two daughters. Bob was a farmer. He spent his entire life on the family farm west of Porter raising livestock, milking cows, baling hay, and growing crops. He also worked with his brother, Dr. William Merritt, at his Veterinary Clinic in Minneota. Bob worked at the Porter Elevator and he and Mary Ann owned and operated the Merritt Grocery Store in Porter for several years. They were also active in the Minnesota Farmer’s Union.
Bob was always an avid sports fan. He enjoyed following the Minnesota Vikings and the Minnesota Twins since their inception in the 1960s. Beginning in the early 1970s, Bob and Mary Ann’s sons began participating in the sport of wrestling. Over the next several decades, Bob and Mary Ann faithfully followed the Canby wrestling team, their sons, and grandsons. High school wrestling became a big part of Bob’s life along with many in the Canby community. By the early 1990s, Bob and Mary Ann’s sons became Minnesota’s all-time winningest wrestling family and Canby High School had won several team state wrestling championships.
Bob enjoyed spending time with his daughters and loved the home cooked meals that they so often made for him. Bob and Mary Ann enjoyed playing cards with family and friends and traveling.
Bob is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; children, Alan Merritt of Kasota, Minn., Doug Merritt of Canby, Robert “Bob” Jr. (Bonnie) of Porter, Jeff (Patti) Merritt of Canby, Vicki Merritt of Coon Rapids, Todd Merritt of Porter, Connie (Dave) Merritt of Porter, Chad (Kelly) Merritt of Fargo, N.D., and Kim Merritt of Fargo, N.D.; grandchildren, Shane, Ryan, Chris, Ashley, Amber, Trish, Brent, Paige, Jodi, Blaine, Quinn, Jana, Tad, Thea, Morgan, William, Brittany, Brandi, Justin, Amanda, Jacob, Tyler, and McKenzie; and 29 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Ilene Merritt of Minneota; brothers and sisters-in-law, Beverly Lozinski, Alvin (Jean) Lozinski, Lucille (Merlyn) Melcher, Jerry (Kathy) Lozinski, Donna Sanders, Dennis (Mary) Lozinski, Msgr Gene Lozinski, and Loren Lozinski. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Eldo (Margi) Merritt, Glen Merritt, and Dr. William (Marjorie) Merritt; sisters, Blanche Burns, and Madonna Lundquist; brothers-in-law, Raymond Lozinski, Ronald Lozinski and Jerry Sanders; son-in-law, Kevin Snyder; daughter-in-law, Jody (Halverson) Merritt, and great-grandson, Miles Fliss.
Blessed be his memory.