Funeral services for Kenneth R. Merbach, 65, of New Leipzig, ND will be Saturday, April 28, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Leipzig. Rev. John Amundson will officiate and burial will follow at the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in New Leipzig. Visitations will be from 1:00 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 27, 2007 at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Elgin and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday morning. A Family service will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday evening at the Funeral Home in Elgin.


Kenneth R. Merbach was born July 30, 1941 in Drake, ND to Chris and Ruby Viola (Kraft) Merbach. In 1959, after graduation from Drake High School, he went to Grand Forks, ND and graduated from University of North Dakota. In the fall of 1964 he began his high school teaching and coaching career. He taught Math and Industrial Arts and coached football and basketball in New Leipzig, ND and Ray, ND. With his union to Deloris Seidler Pahl on May 29, 1968, came a family of five children Ken loved as his own: Linda , Deland, Janet, Margo and Jeri. Two children were born to this union, Christi and Scott. In 1975 he and Deloris moved back to New Leipzig and opened the KD Locker Plant. Ken became a rural route mail carrier, retiring December 23, 2005. Ken was active in the Town and Country Boosters, New Leipzig School Board, the October Fest Musicals, New Leipzig Economic Development Council, and Immanuel Lutheran Church. Ken Merbach died on April 25, 2007 at the Jacobson Memorial Hospital after a courageous battle with cancer.


He is survived by his wife, Deloris, New Leipzig, ND; Children, Linda (Paul) Skatvold, Moorhead, MN; Deland (Gloria) Pahl, Farmington, NM; Janet Wagers Haberman, Williston, ND; Margo (Glen) Severson, Ray, ND; Jeri (Matt) Schmidt, Mott, ND; Christi (Dale) Clow, Maple Grove, MN; Scott Merbach, New Leipzig, ND; Grandchildren include Stacy Wagers Luchi, Erik (Karina) Skatvold, Michael Wagers, Cory (Krysta) Severson, Jared (Petie) Severson, Anne Skatvold (George) Braden, Carman Severson, Jasmin Pahl, Roland Pahl, Reece Clow and six great grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother, Lawrence (Renelle) Merbach, Wahpeton, ND; sisters-in-law and brother-in law; Delmar (Florence) Seidler, New Leipzig, ND; Marilyn Merbach, Saxonberg, PA; and Kathy Merbach, Uhrichsville, OH; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was loved unconditionally by his lap companion, Maggie. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Paul Merbach, and an infant sister.


In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in Ken's honor to Immanuel Lutheran Church, New Leipzig, North Dakota (Building Fund).