Merna Lemer

Balfour

Merna R. Lemer, 75, Balfour, North Dakota, passed away Thursday, April 27, 2023 peacefully while resting at her home near Balfour, North Dakota. The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 6, 2023, at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, Drake, North Dakota. Father Thomas Graner will officiate, and burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Friday, May 5, 2023, with a rosary and prayer service at 7 p.m. at the church. The service and vigil service will be livestreamed on the Prairie Potholes Facebook page. Arrangements with Nelson Funeral Home, Drake, North Dakota.

Merna was born October 12, 1947, in Harvey, ND to Waldemar and Ethel “Vivian” (Olson) Seehafer. She grew up in Drake and graduated from Drake Public High School in 1965. She attended Minot State University receiving a Certificate in Business.

Merna met Francis Lemer shortly after graduating high school. They were married August 19, 1967, at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Bismarck. They lived in Bismarck, Grand Forks, then onto Brandon and Watertown, South Dakota. They lived there for 11 years and then moved back to North Dakota to their farmstead in Balfour residing for the last 41 years. They had four lovely children along the way.

Merna’s professional career included bank teller in Sheyenne, ND; switchboard operator for ND ADJ General Office, Bismarck; secretary for UND Computer Center, Grand Forks; clerk and later program assistant for USDA FSA or former ASCS and SCS offices, Watertown; Miracle Span administrative assistant, Feinstein’s clothing store Watertown; F.J. Lemer Accounting and Tax Preparation offices in Velva and Drake. She was a postmaster relief for the postmaster in Balfour and then officer in charge until its closure. She also filled in as PMR for Karlsruhe, Drake, Butte, Kief and surrounding towns. She fulfilled her husband’s career by helping him create a successful tax preparation business throughout the years complementing his office with her continuing education from UND, excellent relationships with customers, and public presentation.

She committed to her community by serving duties and a multitude of offices including the St. Margaret Mary’s Catholic Church Ladies Guild and Religious Education Teacher Drake; St. Joseph’s Christian Mothers, Balfour; Harmony Homemakers of Balfour; Drake Alumni Association, DHS Scholarship Organization, All School Reunion Steering Committee; American Legion Auxiliary; Drake Community Civic Organization; NAPUS; US Naval Reserve Wives Organization Fargo; Wives and Widows Organization of Watertown Elks Lodge #838; Drake Gymnastics Association.

Merna was known for her grace, beauty and strength. She was loving, quiet, and sweet like her mother and she complemented her husband Frank with her etiquette, quick thinking, and incredible wit whether working with clients or in social settings. She adapted from a very social atmosphere attending clubs, bowling, golfing, travel and lake adventures in the 1970s to surmount the farm life in the 1980s and 1990s prospering into the 2000s. She showed her children how to work hard, be tough as nails, and follow your heart while doing it with style and grace. She knew how to dress to the nines, loved beautiful music, fine arts, and a quiet room cuddled up with a good book to get away. Merna and Fran danced beautifully like they were the unassuming stars of the show, and are now dancing away together again.

Merna is survived by her family, sons: Bryan (Valerie) Lemer, Orland Park, IL; Brant Lemer, Ames, IA; Brady (Stephanie) Lemer, Balfour; daughter Breanna Lemer, Coleharbor; brothers-in-law: Loren (Rosella) Lemer, Blaine (Joyce) Lemer, Ted (Clara) Smith; sisters-in-law: Iris (Gollnick) Seehafer, Susan Traiser, Charlotte (Bill) Barrington, Barbara Lemer, Sandee (Jeff) Michalenko; and grandchildren: Leah; Ellie, Brock, Brody, Elizabeth, and Ezzabella; Louis, Julia, Ava, and Adalynn; and an abundance of nieces and nephews.

Merna was preceded in death by her husband Francis John Lemer; parents Waldemar and Ethel Vivian (Olson) Seehafer; brother Wayne Seehafer; sisters Wanda Reed and Vicki Miller; brothers-in-law Alvin Miller and David Traiser; sister-in-law Julie Smith; Niece Patricia (Seehafer) Taylor.

Published by The Minot Daily News, May 4, 2023.