Merle J. Vancleef

Merle John VanCleef, 42 of Moorhead passed away Dec 21st, 2016 at Essentia Health Fargo, ND. Merle was born Jan 18th, 1974 in Pelican Rapids, MN to Hank and Eileen Clark VanCleef. He grew up in the Pelican Rapids; Fergus Falls area and attended high school in Fergus Falls. Following high school Merle traveled the United States, working various construction jobs. Merle was a 13 year member of the Laborers local 563 construction and general laborers union working for Minnesota limited LLC pipe line construction. Merle enjoyed complete control of the DVR, listening to music, being outdoors and working hard for his family; but most of all he loved spending time with his girls. He will be dearly missed.

Merle is survived by the love of his life Joy Frye; daughters, Morgan and Katie Olson; sons, John Finnemore, Jason Kara Nosal; step-daughter, Katie Olson; mother, Eileen Randy Kirkwood; sisters, Angela Dewey Berg, Tiffany Jeremy Johnson, Laura Billy Gierszewski; grandmother, Isabell Clark; step-mother, Angela VanCleef; step-brothers, Austin Torvenan and Shannon Torvenan; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, step-siblings and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Hank; sister, Gracie; grandparents, John and Grace VanCleef and Cecil Clark; and great nephew, Caleb VanCleef.

A gathering of family and friends will be Thursday, December 29, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., with a Celebration of Life Service at 6:00 p.m., in Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN.