Joseph "Joe" Lawrence Merchlewicz

Joe enlisted in the army at the age of 17. He spent 2 years at Fort Gordon, Georgia. He came home after serving his country and tried his luck at college. It didn't take long until he realized that college wasn't for him. After a short period of working odd jobs, a mechanic position opened up at the Department of Transportation for the state of Minnesota. Since he loved to wrench on cars, and it seemed to come easily for him, he applied and got the job.

He worked on the floor repairing all sorts of heavy equipment. Being the crafty person he was, the D.O.T used many of his ideas. Many of his co-workers came to him when they had problems with their cars. The last 15 years or so, prior to his retirement, he was promoted to a Field Mechanic position, He really enjoyed that position. He made a lot of friends at the various D.O.T shops in the Twin Cities area. This new position gave him the opportunity to check in with all the various shops on his route. As a team, they all worked hard in keeping the equipment in good working condition out in the field, and in the winter, clearing the highways of snow and ice for safe travel for motorists on their way to work or home.

He worked for the D.O.T for 34 years and was able to retire at age 55. He was very thankful for that. This gave him a chance to change his career status.

After retiring, he was able to do some needed remodeling of their cabin up north, which was his favorite place to be. He loved nature, also loved to fish and hunt. Best of all, he loved just to sit in the early morning sun, on a fresh new day, and take it all in. Every little bit of it.

Joe and Pat owned the cabin for 35 years. The neighbors at the cabin, the Dornsbach's, were very good friends and like family to Joe and Pat. Many, many good times and memories were made in those years.

Joe was happy just being a "regular guy." But he was a very loving and proud family man. Joe and Pat were married for 57 years. It was a true love relationship right from the beginning. Everyone of their friends could see that, just by how they interacted with each other. There was no shortage of "I love you's" between them and at times said with no words.

Joe was also a proud father to his sons Tony and Paul. Everyone knew his boys were his pride and joy. And his sons also felt his radiating love for them. Joe was a good, proud man who never ever said "I can't." There is always a will and a way to every solution to every problem.

Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, John and Loretta Merchlewicz of St Cloud, MN; his brother James Merchlewicz of St. Cloud, MN; and his sister Patricia O'Connell of Renton, WA.

Joseph was survived by his wife, Patricia; two sons, Tony (Julie) of Braham, MN, Paul of Woodbury, MN; 6 grandchildren, Ashley (Eddy) Hirsch of Braham, MN, Mathew (Anna) Merchlewicz of Pine City, MN, Jerry (Alexa) Griggs of Enderlin, ND, Manley and Bethany Merchlewicz of Woodbury, MN, and Samantha Jo of Braham, MN. Joseph also had 6 great-grandchildren, Isaac, Maria and Andrew (Matt and Anna), Abigail and Joshua (Ashley and Eddy), Emmitt (Jerry and Alexa).