Merrill Klundt

Merrill Helmer Klundt, 86, of Billings, MT, peacefully journeyed to his home in heaven on Monday, November 5, 2018. Merrill was the youngest son of William G. Klundt and Renada Krieger Klundt, born Jan 7, 1932, in Jamestown, ND. History reminds us of the Great Depression already putting a strain on families all across America and for whatever reasons….five years later, the family of seven would move to a farm in Warden, Montana. There, Merrill contributed to their survival, laboring on the farm; in the fields, the gardens, tending the livestock and completing his elementary education at Warden, then graduating from nearby Shepherd High School, in 1950. The Korean War brought Merrill into Military Service in 1953, serving as a Military Policeman in the states and in Korea until his honorable discharge in 1955. Of course, it didn't take long for Merrill to find work, and his love of autos might have driven him toward the sales job for Lew Chevrolet that same year, with another job at Eaton Metal Company. Later that year he found another calling, serving as Deputy Clerk and Recorder, then on to Chief Deputy until 1968 when he was elected to County Clerk and Recorder. In that seat, he served on the city County Planning Board, the County Zoning District in the Billings Heights, and the Legislative Committee of the Montana Clerks and Recorders Association from 1964-1994, serving as President of the Association in 1975 and past Chairman of the Legislative Committee. All this, proudly serving among his peers, engaging in civil discourse over debated issues until his retirement in December of 1994. If you were blessed, you knew Merrill's other life, and if you didn't, you've missed out. There was a first marriage, and as life sometimes turns, the family eventually dissolved. Even so, three children blessed that union; a son, Jeffrey, and two daughters, Jody and Judy. Then great loss—family and grief, when his only son, died at as a toddler. But Merrill found new life. Jeanie, (Lois Jean Mesenbrink), seemed to be waiting just for him, and they married in 1979. Suddenly, Merrill proudly assumed a whole new family, becoming a good father to Marla, Becky, Sherry, Gary and Doug, and in time, grandkids and great grandkids, who mirrored his deep love and adored him. Together, Merrill and Jeanie enjoyed dancing, traveling to Iowa and across Montana to see family, hitting garage sales, refinishing furniture, gardening, canning and sharing their harvest with co-workers, church family, friends and neighbors. Merrill wasn't big on cats, but he loved his birds; Honey, in particular, a cockatiel who traveled all over the country on Merrill's shoulder, his other companion. Oh, and did I mention cards--Skip-Bo! There was no other game in Merrill's mind, and he was a fierce competitor, out to win; hands down! Snacks, an hour of Molly Bee Polka, a little news and a nap refreshed him for another round of cards, later in the day, and then again maybe before bed. Merrill was proud of his German heritage, a member of Kiwanis, and was clearly a Man of All Seasons, knowledgeable on law, politics, vehicles, small engines and gardening and well versed on just about every other topic. He loved tinkering in the garage, learning how to make things work, keeping the house and yard in good condition and stocking up on groceries, tools, medical supplies, clothes, antiques; he would provide---his family would lack for nothing. But the light dimmed for Merrill after Jeannie's death, earlier this year. Sure, he planted the garden last summer. He said this one would be his last. He understood there was a greater garden waiting for him, with loved ones in another realm; Jeanie, his son, siblings, and Ray, and this time, under the beloved eyes of the Master Gardener. On that landscape, he has found his peace. Merrill is survived and deeply loved by Harold Mesenbrink (brother-in-law), wife, Jean Mesenbrink, his siblings, Verlyn, Orville, Adeline and Verdie (deceased), children Marla Liquin (deceased), Becky (Don) Berglund, Sherry (Dave) Lohman, Gary (Chris, deceased) Caldwell, Doug (Carla) Caldwell as well as a great wealth of adoring grandchildren and great grandchildren who already miss their Papa Great, sorely. And of course, there were his loving neighbors, the Dogwood Drive neighborhood.