Merle H. Vande Zande

HOFF FUNERAL AND CREMATION SERVICE - RUSHFORD 507-864-7771FOUNTAIN, MINN. - Merle H. Vande Zande, 67, of Fountain, Minn. died on Tuesday, May 1, in Bluff Siding, Wis. Merle was born on December 23, 1944, in Preston, Minn. to Harold and Della (Frazer) Vande Zande. He was raised in rural Fountain, Minn. and attended Lanesboro School. Merle worked in the road construction and logging industries all of his career. He retired one month ago from Apple Valley Ready Mix. Merle married Diane Dickman. They were later divorced. Merle's hobbies included Horses, Ford Trucks, Country and Western Music, playing the guitar and the accordion.Merle is survived by two children: Michelle (Rick) Zoppa of Marysville, Ohio and Dale (Megan) Vande Zande of Dover, Minn.; seven grandchildren: Mikayla, Natayla, Kevin, Brittany, Joshua, Nicholas and Sarah; nine siblings: Harlan (Carolyn) Vande Zande of Peterson, Minn., Darlene (Ron) Hahn of St. Charles, Minn., Charlotte Neldner of Plainview, Minn., Sharon (Art) Merkel of Rochester, Minn., Shirley (Ed) Smith of Greene, Iowa, Sharold Buchanon of Rushford, Minn., David (Karen) Vande Zande of Lanesboro, Minn. and Charlene (Lyle) Grabau of Burr Oak, Iowa.He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother in infancy. The funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 5, at Whalan Lutheran Church with the Rev. Chuck Johnston officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday at Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service in Rushford and one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church. Leave a memory of Merle, sign his online guestbook and view his tribute video when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/303034