Merlin Arnold Schonrock

Merlin Arnold Schonrock, age 88 of Mankato, died Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at Immanuel St. Joseph's Hospital in Mankato.

Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, May 17, 2010 at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, St Clair. Burial will be in St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Sunday at Mankato Mortuary and will continue one hour before the service at the church on Monday.

Merlin was born February 9, 1922 to Herman and Ida (Nitschke) Schonrock in McPherson Township, Blue Earth County, MN. He was united in marriage to Lita Adeline Kopke on June 14, 1945 at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in St. Clair. Merlin was a farmer all of his life. He enjoyed fishing, traveling, wintering in Florida and gardening. Merlin would always share the contents of his garden with his friends and family.

Merlin is survived by his two daughters, Marlys (Larry) Nelson of Waldorf; Janice (Jim) Johnston of Warren; five grandchildren, Lance Nelson; Brian Nelson; Beth (Andy) Weimert; Jami (Martin) Aubol; Josh (Rachel) Johnston; two great-grandchildren, Kobe and Nevaeh Weimert; baby girl Johnston due in two weeks; brother Elmer (Janice) Schonrock of Winnebago; sister, Betty Dooley of Roseville; sisters-in-law, Ila Mae (Roland) Born of St. Clair; Delores Schonrock of Mapleton; special friend, Alice Schroeder of Mankato; nieces and nephews.

Merlin was preceded in death by his wife Lita in 2003; parents; two brothers, Ervin and Arnold; and one sister Erna.