Merle Ernest Wiskow

Merle Ernest Wiskow, 82, life-long resident of St. Charles, MN passed away at St. Mary's Hospital on Monday, July 16th of complications due to illness. Merle was born on June 14, 1930 to Harvey Albert and Lula Elizabeth (Ringler) Wiskow. Merle graduated from St. Charles High School in 1948 where he excelled in football. Merle married Genevieve 'Jean' Robinson at the United Methodist Church in Rochester, MN on November 12, 1948; they lived in St. Charles and raised three children. Merle and Jean had been members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since 1949. They were also members of the St. Charles Jaycees and the Whitewater Saddle Club. Merle farmed and delivered milk for the St. Charles Dairy until the early 1960s when he became an educated draftsman and worked for Waters Conley, in Rochester, then as a locksmith and maintenance worker at the Rochester Methodist Hospital from 1975 until he retired.Merle married Paulette LeRae Conner on November 4, 2006 in St. Paul, MN.Merle was preceded in death by his wife, Genevieve, who died on September 22, 1997, his parents, Harvey and Lula Wiskow, brother, Francis Earl, and grandson, Ryan Christopher Porter. He is survived by his wife Paulette, children: Gloria Jean Gifford of Rochester, MN, Wendy Louise (Elwood) Porter of Madison, WI, and Christopher Robin (Susan Kahle) Wiskow of Rogers, MN; grandchildren: Grant (Denise) Gifford, Clint (Angie) Gifford, Autumn (Brent) Mayberry, Amber (Mark) Orton, Lark Porter, Cole Wiskow; great-grandchildren: Trevor, Jordyn, Keyara, and Payton Gifford, Ryanne Baker, and Henry and Miles Mayberry; great-great-grandson: Oliver Hanson. He is also survived by step-children Cytel (Scott) Schults, Amanda (Jackie) Benevides, Sheldon Conner, Terra (Travis) Richardson, Jasmine Conner, and Austin (Lashina) Conner. Surviving step-grandchildren include Kolby, Jameson, and Bradlee Schults, Phoenix Benevides, Brianna and Tyler Richardson, and Ricky Conner.Visitation will be from 5:00 - 8:00 pm Friday, July 20th and 12:00 - 1:30 on Saturday, July 21st at Hoff Funeral & Cremation Service in St. Charles, with the funeral following at 2:00 pm. Please share a memory of Merle, sign his online guestbook and view his video tribute when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/320664