OBITUARY NOTICE FOR DONALD MERCIL
Brooks, MN
JOHNSON FUNERAL SERVICE, RED LAKE FALLS, MN

Donald Mercil, 88, died on Thursday, February 3, 2011 at Valley Eldercare in Grand Forks, ND.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, February 8, 2011 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Brooks, MN, with Father Chuck Huck officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Brooks, MN.

Visitation will be 5 " 8 PM, Monday, February 7, 2011 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Brooks, MN, with a 7 PM prayer service. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.

Donald Theodore Mercil was born October 17, 1922 in Brooks, MN, to Louis and Louise (Champagne) Mercil. He attended school in Brooks, MN.

On August 3, 1943, Donald married Genevieve Bourgeois in Brooks. They rented a farm near Brooks where they farmed grain and had livestock. Donald also drove the milk truck for Brooks Cheese Factory for many years. He also worked the Sugar Beet Campaign(s) at the Crookston American Crystal Sugar Company.

Together (in) 1964 they moved to Drayton, ND. Donald worked as a warehouse foreman at American Crystal Sugar and was later promoted to Safety Coordinator working there until he retired from there in 1978.

In February of 1981, Donald and Genevieve started work in small construction and moved to Thermopolis, WY, where they worked together until their retirement in 1998. Following retirement, they enjoyed traveling and spending winters in Florida. Genevieve passed away on October 8, 2001. Donald decided to move back to Brooks in 2005, where he has since resided.

Visiting was very important to Donald, and he liked to spend time shaking dice at the Cozy. He took pride in mowing and keeping his grass green in Wyoming. Donald enjoyed listening to the Cathy Erickson band and playing cards. He thoroughly enjoyed life and spending time with his family. Donald was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Brooks and the Knights of Columbus Council in Thermopolis, WY.

He is greatly missed by his children, Gary (Susie) Mercil of Townsend, WI, Marlene Hince of Grimes, Iowa, Sharon (Chet) Paschke of Grand Forks, ND, LeRoy (Mary) Mercil of Brooks, MN, Allen Mercil of Grand Forks, ND, Betty (Dean) Staskivige of Drayton, ND, Karen (Bob) Halcrow of Drayton, ND, Dean (Diane) Mercil of Laramie, WY, Diane (Tom) Derosier of Casper, WY, Debbie (Stan) Huebner of Eagan, MN, and Kenny (Audrey) Mercil of Grafton, ND; 48 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Everill Mercil of Brooks, MN, Lloyd Mercil of Thief River Falls, MN, Donna Mae Bergeron of Thief River Falls, MN, Dellas Paradis of Brooks, MN, Madeline (Parnell) Thibert of Dixon, IL, several nieces, nephews, other relatives; special friend Joyce Hardecopf of Oklee, MN and many other friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Genevieve and his parents.

Family condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com

PALLBEARERS: All of Dons Grandchildren