Merlin Richard Persons

Anoka, Merlin Richard Persons, 65, of Anoka and formerly of St. Charles died at his home in Anoka on December 14th. Merlin was born June 19, 1941, in Winona to Cyril and Elizabeth (Michel) Persons. He graduated from St. Charles High School in 1959. Merlin served in the Army from 1962 ? 1964. In the Army he worked as a computer analyst in Viet Nam. Merlin married Cheryl Kathryn Rountree on February 19, 1966, and they later divorced. He attended Luther College in Decorah, Carroll College in Waukeska, WI, Mankato State, Winona State and Brown Institute in Minneapolis. Merlin and his father were dairy farmers together in the 1970's and 1980's. In the mid 1980's Merlin began working in computer programming. He taught at Brown Institute and Rasmussen Business College in Mankato. For the last 17 years of his career he was a computer analyst for MaSys Corporation in St. Louis Park, retiring in 2003. Merlin was an avid reader, was a sports enthusiast, enjoyed playing cards and volleyball. He had belonged Grace Church of Roseville and was active in church groups. Survivors include his four sons; Brian of Eveleth, MN, Sean (Lois) of Floodwood, MN, Kevin (Erin) of Burnsville and Daniel (Shannon) of Bovey, MN, five grandchildren, a brother Kenneth (Jane) Persons of Northfield and a sister Shirley (Ivor) Hunt of Fountain Valley, CA. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Catherine and his parents. Funeral Services will be 11AM Tuesday at Berea Moravian Church in rural St. Charles with the Rev. Valerie Lehman officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 5-8 PM Monday at Hoff Funeral Home's ? St. Charles Chapel. They may also call one hour before services at the church. Please share a memory at Merlin's on-line guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com. Memorials and cards of sympathy can be mailed to Hoff Funeral Home, PO Box 576, St. Charles, MN 55972.