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Riggs Coble and Deco Espiritu, Platte Center preschoolers, are battling leukemia. A Red Cross blood drive will be held May 8 in their honor at St. Joseph’s Parish Hall. Courtesy photo

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Emerson Krings, a senior at Humphrey St. Francis, signed a letter of intent last week for track at Southeast Community College. The SCC track team and Coach Phillip Duncan welcomed Emerson to his signing. Pictured, front row, left to right, are his mother, Ashley Krings, and Emerson. Back row, Emerson’s father Steve Krings, and SCC coach Duncan. Courtesy photo

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St. Francis made itself at home, winning the Flyers Invitational Thursday. Pictured, left to right, are Tyson Wietfeld, Carson Wessel, Matthew Brockhaus, Andrew Kosch, Jacob Keller, Wyatt Brandl and Jett Dunn. Courtesy photo

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Merle A. Brandl

Mass of Christian Burial for Merle A. Brandl, age 95, of Norfolk, Neb., was 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, at St. Leonard’s Catholic Church in Madison. Reverend Brett Jamrog was the celebrant, and burial is in St. Leonard’s Cemetery in Madison.

Visitation with the family was from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at the church, with a 7 p.m. Rosary.

Resseguie Funeral Home in Madison is in charge of arrangements.

Merle died Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023, at Heritage at Fountain Point in Norfolk.

Merle was born to Frank and Mary (Frauendorfer) Brandl on Jan. 7, 1928, in a farmhouse in Cornlea, west of Humphrey, where he grew up and attended school.

Merle served during the Korean War in Fort Bliss, Texas, servicing military vehicles during his enlistment in the National Guard.

On Feb. 6, 1952, he married Geraldine Cerny, whom he had met at a dancehall in Humphrey. The couple made their home on a farm south of Madison, where they had four children, Marilyn, Linda, Karan and Richard.

Merle enjoyed traveling, visiting Spain, Hawaii, Las Vegas, and going on road trips with friends. You could often find Merle and Geraldine dancing away their Sunday afternoons.

He is survived by his children, Marilyn (Ken) Bonner, Linda Hall, Karan (Gary) Wolken, and Richard (Marita) Brandl; 13 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren with one on the way; and sisters, Darlene Becker of Norfolk and Norma Jane Werner of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Merle was preceded in death by his wife, Geraldine; his parents; brothers, Lawrence, Ervin, and Victor; sisters, Viola Weiser and Leona Zuerlein; and greatgrandchild, Corbin Nahrstedt.

The Humphrey Democrat

314 Main St
Humphrey, NE 68642
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