Benjamin Moerke, 91

Benjamin Moerke, 91, of Elbow Lake, died Friday, May 2, 2008, at his home.

Ben was born Feb. 28, 1917, in Pomme de Terre Township to Dutch immigrants John and Anna (Oldenburger) Moerke. He grew up on several farms in Grant and Rock counties.

In 1936, Benjamin, his parents, and his brothers and sisters moved to a farm on Ten Mile Lake. When his parents died in 1939 and 1940, Ben took over the farm and raised several of his siblings.

On Aug. 12, 1944, Ben married Mildred Feelhaver. They raised their five children on the farm. Ben and Mildred spent many Saturday nights enjoying community dances in their younger years. They moved to a farm in Pelican Lake Township in 1968.

In 1973, his son Robert took over the farm and Ben and Mildred moved to Elbow Lake. He worked for Range Hatchery, hauled sugar beets, and continued to help on the farm well into his 70s.

In 1983, Ben had open heart surgery. After that he became an avid walker and many remember him walking along the highways near Elbow Lake. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, and deer hunting well into his later years. He also had a special spot for his family and enjoyed birthdays, holidays, and other get-togethers.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, John, Fred, Gertie, Frank and Bill; special cousins George W. (Clara) and Fred W. Moerke.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Mildred; children, Robert (Joan) Moerke of Ashby, Kenneth (Rebecca) Moerke of Elbow Lake, Judy (Loren Hams) of Hoffman, Roger (Fran) Moerke of Grand Junction, Colo., Joan Moerke (Val Merz) of Fergus Falls; grandchildren Shannon (Lynda) Moerke, Yvonne (David Devito), Teresa Magnuson, Charlotte (Jeff Nordrum), Jerimiah, Naomi and Preston Moerke, Heather Pederson, Eric Moerke, Elizabeth (Ryan Schremmer), and Joseph Moerke; great-grandchildren Samantha, Margaret, Morgan, Dylan, Bobby, Jessie, Samuel, Cassandra, Natalie, Reid, Thomas, Anna, and Olivia; and one great-great-grandchild, Trenton. He is also survied by siblings, Wubena (Lawrence Larson), George, Anna Mae (Harstad), and Louise (Gislason); many nieces, nephews; and a special cousin, Ruth Moerke.

Visitation: Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home, and one hour prior to the service at the church

Service: 1:30 p.m. Monday, at United Lutheran Church, Elbow Lake

Clergy: Rev. Robert Toso

Burial: Union Cemetery, Elbow Lake

Funeral Home: Erickson-Smith Funeral Home, Elbow Lake