Helen “Dolly” Merkens, 96, Ada, MN, passed away with family by her side on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, at the Benedictine Care Community in Ada.
Helen Corrine (Dolly) Merkens, daughter of Helmer and Clarice Oseth, was born on 
February 18, 1926, in Perley, Minnesota. She was both baptized and confirmed at Kirkebo Lutheran Church in Perley. Dolly married Earl Merkens on December 8, 1944. Both were life-long members of the farming community in Lockhart and were awarded the Norman County Farmer and Homemaker of the Year award in 1985. Over the years, Dolly was an active member of the First English Lutheran Church, the Good Hope Volunteers homemaker’s group, and a dedicated volunteer at the local food shelf.
Dolly enjoyed baking and was well-known for her petit fours, Christmas cookies, and the birthday cakes she made for her grandchildren. Dolly’s family was a special part of her life, but she especially enjoyed time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Dolly is survived by her children, Cheryl (Myron) Foley, Rich (Kris) Merkens, Don (Sue) Merkens, Beth (Jon) Kringen, and Bud’s wife, Nancy Merkens; her grandchildren, Ande (Dionne) Merkens, Sarah (Tom) McKinney, Josh (Shannon) Ogaard, Cody (Heidi) Ogaard, Seth (Christina) Merkens, Alex (Calista) Kringen, Laura (Alex) Scott, Paul (Anine) Merkens, Max Kringen, and Anna (Cliff) Newby; her great-grandchildren, Adam (Brooklynn), Annika, Erika, Liberty, Virginia, Kevin, Landon, Maddie, Sophie, Carson, Abby, Luca, Hunter, George, Corrine, Crew, Cal, Nick, Catherine, and Kirby; her great-great-granddaughter, Lyla; and her sister, Claudia.
Dolly was preceded in death by her husband, Earl; and son, Bud.
Funeral: 10:30 AM, Friday, July 8, 2022, at Grace Lutheran Church, Ada, MN.
Visitation: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Thursday, July 7, 2022, at Grace Lutheran Church, Ada, MN, with a prayer service to begin at 7:30 PM.
Interment: Pleasant View Cemetery, Lockhart, MN.
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