Mass of Christian Burial for Merlin Baune, 93, of Redwood Falls, formerly of rural Lucan, will be at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 2, 2024, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Lucan. A livestream and recording of the service will be available at www.lowafc.org. Visitation will be Thursday from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the church, with a prayer service at 4:00 p.m. and rosary to follow. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment with military honors will follow at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Cemetery in Lucan. The Sunset Funeral & Cremations Association in Wabasso is handling the arrangements.
Merlin John Baune was born on April 20, 1930 in Alton, IA. He was the second son born to Frances (Frericks) and Henry Baune. The family moved to Wabasso, MN and due to the Great Depression returned to Iowa to live with Henry’s parents. They eventually returned to Lucan in 1940 to the farm where Merlin lived until moving a mile up the road in 1991. He walked to country school about a mile from his home, carrying his lunch pail. He attended school through 8th grade, at that point his formal education ceased as he stayed home to work on the farm with his father. There was 40 acres of corn to plant that his father was unable to that year and thus, his farming career started with a two row corn planter pulled by horses. As a child liked spending his time at home. As an adult he was content and enjoyed being on the farm, perfectly happy spending his days driving from one end of the field to the other. He was not a person to seek out travel but enjoyed himself when he did. Merlin had the gift of gab, loved talking to people and would always look for the good in people. He served in the Army during the Korean War. He was called back home early due to being needed back on the farm, returning to the USA without knowing what was happening back home. Fortunately, he had survived enough months on the front lines that he had enough points earned that he did not need to return to Korea. He would tell stories of what happened in the service and had made some lifelong friends. Merlin spent his days working on the farm and taking care of his family. He was a hard worker and passed this along to all of his kids. He taught his kids right from wrong. He was always eager to help a neighbor without expecting anything in return. He enjoyed visiting with people, reminiscing about the old days, he was never without a quick smile and would tease with a sparkle in his eye. He was a role model, looked up to and treasured by his kids, grandkids and great grandkids.
Merlin passed away unexpectedly on Monday, January 29, 2024, at their previous home of 32 years in rural Lucan.
Merlin met his wife June (Bernardy) while on leave from the Army. They were married on August 8, 1955 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Seaforth. To this union, ten children were born. Barb (Jim) Anderson, Walnut Grove, Bob (Carol) Baune, Starbuck, Chris (Lenny) Larson, Walnut Grove, Dave (Kathy) Baune, Vesta, Julie (Kevin) Hacker, Baxter, Dan (Jodi) Baune, Lucan, Paul (Nancy) Baune, St. Michael, Dona (Denny) Quinn, Downing, WI, Scott (Stefanie) Baune, Marshall, and Steve (Sarah), Canton, SD. Merlin is survived by his wife of 68 years, June, all his children, 26 grandchildren and 36 great grandchildren. His siblings Roman (Shirley) Baune, Phyllis (Dick) Holt, Betty Baune, brother in law Ray (Carol) Bernardy. Preceded in death by his parents, in laws Arnold and Hazel Bernardy, sibilngs LaVerne (El) Baune, Jim Baune, Arlene (John) VanHeuvlen, Dori (Jim) Olson, brother in law Louis Bernardy and great grandchild Dominic Borning.
