Minnie L. Merritt, age 83, of Freeborn, died Tuesday, April 22, 2003, at the Albert Lea Medical Center in Albert Lea.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, April 26, at the Freeborn Congregational United Church of Christ in Freeborn. The Rev. Cherie Daniel will officiate. Visitation will be at the Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, April 25, and visitation one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Burial will be at Freeborn Cemetery in Freeborn.

Minnie was born on March 15, 1920, in Cordova, Minn. She married Glenn E. Merritt on Dec. 17, 1942, in Thief River Falls.

Minnie enjoyed making quilts and baking for her family. She also liked to garden. She was an active volunteer, donating time to the fire department. Minnie was a longtime resident of Freeborn, and the Freeborn Congregational Church and a member of circle- Friendly Service.

Minnie is survived by three daughters:

Sharon and her husband Dennis Jacobs of Roswell, N.M., Marion and her husband Don Strauss of Janesville, and Regina and her husband John Bair of Hartland; three sons: Clete and his wife Linda Merritt of Janesville, Ray Merritt of Williston, N.D., and Roger and his wife Mary Merritt of Freeborn; 13 grandsons; nine granddaughters;

27 great-grandchildren; two sisters: Esther and her husband Leo Hamele of Kilkenny, Minn., and Florence Hamele of Waterville.

Minnie was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Glenn, in 1982; daughter, Arlene Mithun, in 1993; grandson; granddaughter; and three brothers: Raymond, Carl and Bill Gehrke.