Merle Baisch

Minot

Merle Baisch, 74, Minot, ND, passed away Friday, March 8, 2024, at Trinity Health.

Merle Jerome Baisch was born August 16, 1949, the son of Reuben and Marvel (Howard) Baisch, in Hazen, ND. He was raised and educated in Hazen.

He enlisted in the United States Army on January 21, 1969 and was honorably discharged on January 13, 1971. He served as a Military Policeman and Sentry Dog Handler, with his dog Jat.

Merle married Bonnie Rae Hanson on February 26, 1972. They made their home in Minot and were blessed with two daughters, Suzanne and Sommer.

He was a police officer with the Mandan Police Department, the Ward County Sheriff’s Department, and then finally found his long-term assignment with the Minot Police Department from 1976 to 1995. Following his time at the police department, he moved on to be the Minot Street Superintendent until 2008. After spending 30 years with the City of Minot, he retired and went to work at Ackerman-Estvold Engineering for seven years as a Project Coordinator.

In his early years, Merle enjoyed camping trips with his family, which usually started each year on the first weekend of May, in either sunshine or snow. There were also many family vacations he enjoyed in the motorhome. You would often find him on the Souris Valley Golf Course playing with as many friends as he could, or teaching his daughters to golf. He enjoyed his motorcycle; Merle and Bonnie often took long trips across the country. He also loved fishing on Lake Sakakawea and later Devils Lake, and he often enjoyed a good game of cards, cribbage and pinochle were his favorites.

He was a member of the Minot Eagles, Elks, the American Legion and in his later years, the Minot Moose Club.

Merle was a very witty guy with a great sense of humor, always had a joke and a story and was always willing to help a friend.

His loving family includes: wife of 52 years, Bonnie; daughters, Suzanne (Jason) Kenner, Devils Lake, ND, and Sommer Kennedy, Casselton, ND; grandchildren, Ryleigh, Brynleigh, and Kaden Kennedy, and Kendall Kenner; sisters, Leilani (Rick) Meyhoff, Hazen, ND, and Lynnell (Pat) Heinert, Bismarck, ND; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins He was preceded in death by his parents; and many aunts and uncles.

Celebration of Life: Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Minot VFW. We hope you will come out to celebrate Merle’s life with us.

Interment: North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND.

Those wishing to sign the online register and share memories may access the online obituaries section at (www.thompsonlarson.com).

Published by The Minot Daily News, March 14, 2024.