Robert Merritt, Sr., age 89, of Porter, MN, passed away Sunday, July 9, 2023 at this home near Porter. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 14, 2023 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Canby, MN. Burial will be in the St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery, Canby. Visitation will be Thursday, July 13, 2023 from 5 – 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 pm at the Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel in Canby and will resume Friday one hour prior to the service at the church. Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel in Canby is entrusted with the arrangements.
Robert “Bob” Merritt was born on October 18, 1933 to his parents William and Clara (Stolfus) Merritt in Wergeland Township. He lived in the Porter area his entire life. He attended Porter Elementary School and graduated from Canby High School with the Class of 1951. Bob was united in marriage to Mary Ann Lozinski on December 26th, 1953 at the St. Leo Catholic Church. Born to this union were seven sons and two daughters. Bob was a farmer. He spent his entire life on the family farm west of Porter raising livestock, milking cows, baling hay, and growing crops. He also worked with his brother, Dr. William Merritt, at his Veterinary Clinic in Minneota. Bob worked at the Porter Elevator and he and Mary Ann owned and operated the Merritt Grocery Store in Porter for several years. They were also active in the Minnesota Farmer’s Union. Bob was always an avid sports fan. He enjoyed following the Minnesota Vikings and the Minnesota Twins since their inception in the 1960s. Beginning in the early 1970s, Bob and Mary Ann’s sons began participating in the sport of wrestling. Over the next several decades, Bob and Mary Ann faithfully followed the Canby Wrestling team, their sons, and grandsons. High School Wrestling became a big part of Bob’s life along with many in the Canby community. By the early 1990s, Bob and Mary Ann’s sons became Minnesota’s all-time winningest wrestling family and Canby High School had won several team state wrestling championships. Bob enjoyed spending time with his daughters and loved the home cooked meals that they so often made for him. Bob and Mary Ann enjoyed playing cards with family and friends and traveling.
Bob passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 9, 2023 at his home near Porter, MN at the age of 89.
Bob is survived by his wife Mary Ann; children, Alan Merritt of Kasota, MN, Doug Merritt of Canby, Robert “Bob” Jr. (Bonnie) of Porter, Jeff (Patti) Merritt of Canby, Vicki Merritt of Coon Rapids, Todd Merritt of Porter, Connie (Dave) Merritt of Porter, Chad (Kelly) Merritt of Fargo, ND, and Kim Merritt of Fargo, ND; grandchildren, Shane, Ryan, Chris, Ashley, Amber, Trish, Brent, Paige, Jodi, Blaine, Quinn, Jana, Tad, Thea, Morgan, William, Brittany, Brandi, Justin, Amanda, Jacob, Tyler, McKenzie and 29 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Ilene Merritt of Minneota; brothers and sisters-in-law: Beverly Lozinski, Alvin (Jean) Lozinski, Lucille (Merlyn) Melcher, Jerry (Kathy) Lozinski, Donna Sanders, Dennis (Mary) Lozinski, Msgr Gene Lozinski, and Loren Lozinski. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Eldo (Margi) Merritt, Glen Merritt, Dr. William (Marjorie) Merritt; sisters Blanche Burns, Madonna Lundquist; brothers-in-law: Raymond Lozinski, Ronald Lozinski and Jerry Sanders; son-in-law Kevin Snyder, daughter-in-law Jody (Halverson) Merritt, and great-grandson Miles Fliss.
