Merlin Dennis Brekke

StocktonMerlin Dennis Brekke, 68, of Stockton died Wednesday, April 24, 2013 in his home as a result of renal failure.Merlin was born November 28, 1944 in Winona to Burt and Gina (Anderson) Breakey. He attended school in Winona. On May 26, 1973 he was united in marriage to Deborah Taplin. In their 39 years together, they enjoyed traveling to various state parks in Minnesota and Wisconsin and spending time camping with family. He was a kind and gentle man who loved animals, fishing, card playing, and touring public gardens and historic homes. Merlin worked as a supervisor at Williams Manufacturing, a plant manager at Dencor/Norse Products in Peterson, and retired from United Packaging nearly 10 years ago.He is survived by his wife, Deborah Brekke of Stockton; sisters, Beverly (Curt) Krause, Lorraine (Robert) Gunner, Ila Johnson, and Gloria Brekke; brother, Wayne (Ruth) Anderson; numerous nieces and nephews, who always referred to Merlin as "the cool uncle"; and his three cats, Ben, Rascal, and Zeke. Merlin was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Thomas (Geri) Brekke; sister, Adeline (Carl) Martinovich; brother-in-law, Ray Johnson; and his Siberian husky, Nikki.Celebration of Life will be held at 11am on Saturday, April 27, 2013 at Hoff Celebration of Life Center in Goodview with visitation one hour prior. Burial will be held at a later date in Woodlawn Cemetery.Please share a memory of Merlin with his family, sign the online guestbook, and view the video tribute when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/392399