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Merle R. Aftem • 1928 - 2003 Merle R. Aftem, 74, 1304 7 Ave. NW, Minot died Monday, November 24, 2003, in a Minot nursing care facility. Merle was born on December 15, 1928 in Bottineau, ND, a son of Oscar and Gina (Brenden) Aftem. He was raised and educated on the farm near Souris, ND. On August 6, 1951 in Minot, ND, he married the former Christine Gefroh. They lived in Minot and Merle served in the U.S. Army from 1951 until 1953. Upon his discharge he returned to Minot and worked for a brief time at Anderson Hardware. In 1955 he began his career with Northern States Power Company and retired in 1987. He was a member of Little Flower Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, the V.F.W., the Moose Lodge, and the Eagle Lodge. He was on the building committees of both Little Flower Catholic Church and Bishop Ryan High School and remained active both at the church and the school in many activities. He was an outdoorsman and loved to fish and camp. He also loved dancing and music. He is survived by his wife Christine of Minot; sons David, Tom, John and his wife Val, Pat, and Gerald and his wife Cena all of Minot; daughters Carla Aftem of Minot and Kristi Aftem of Omaha, NE; grandchildren Marissa, Michael and Jeremy Aftem, Scott Aftem and his wife Amy, Jessica Lantto and her husband Jonah, and Julie Larson and her husband Don; great grandchildren, Logan Aftem, Jace Lantto and Ella Larson; brothers LeRoy Aftem and his wife Lorraine of Minot and Dan Aftem and his wife Gwendy of Westhope, ND; sister Gloria Kent of Boise, ID. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister Joanne. Funeral: Wednesday, November 26, 2003 at 10:00 a.m. at Little Flower Catholic Church, Minot, ND. Vigil Prayer Service: Tuesday, November 25, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. at Little Flower Catholic Church, Minot, ND. Visitation: Tuesday, November 25, 2003 from noon until 5 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot, ND. Burial: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot, ND Celebrant; Father Paul Cervinski Music Ministers: Jeanne Artz, organist, John Leonard, song leader Honorary Bearers: 4th Degree Knights of Columbus Active Bearers: William Gefroh, Mike Feist, Mel Gefroh, Don Kasper, Tim Gefroh, Myron Feist Flag Presentation: William G. Carroll American Legion
Post, Minot, ND
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