Biesterfeld Family Tree

Funeral services for Merlyn N. Thisius, 90, of Albert Lea will be at 10:a.m. Saturday at Salem Lutheran Church. The Rev. Mark Niethammer will officiate. Interment will be at Hillcrest Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded by local servicemen's organizations, VFW and American Legion. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church. Merlyn died Tuesday, May 27, 2014, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester. Merlyn Norman Thisius was born on Oct. 29, 1923, in Wells to Herman and Marie (Akermann) Thisius. Merlyn grew up in Wells and attended country school there. On Dec. 12, 1942, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. While serving in World War 11, Merlyn participated in action at Pacific Theater in the battles at Tarawa, Saipan and Tinian, and he was part of the occupational forces in Japan. Merlyn was honorably discharged Dec. 13, 1945. On Sept. 9, 1948 he was united in marriage to Lois Evyonne Barnick. Together they moved to Albert Lea. Merlyn worked for Wilson and Co. and retired after 38 years. He was a member of Salem Luthern Church, American Legion, and the VFW, and he proudly served on the Albert Lea VFW Honor Guard. In his younger years he was an avid hunter and fisherman and he enjoyed traveling with his wife. Most of all, he enjoyed time spent with his family. Merlyn was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Lois; grandson, Brandon Gilman; brother Marvin Thisius and sister, Ruby (Ed) Thisius. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the VFW Honor Guard.