Obituary of Merlin Tritle

A memorial service for Merlin Tritle, age 82, of Spirit Lake, will be held Saturday, February 2, 2019 at 10:30 AM at United Methodist Church in Spirit Lake. Burial will be at Lakeview Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday, February 1st from 5:00-7:00 PM at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Spirit Lake United Methodist Church, National Park Foundation or Spirit Lake Community Schools. Merlin Royce Tritle, son of Ralph and Irene (Myrick) Tritle, was born January 1, 1937 in Spirit Lake, Iowa. He was a lifelong resident of Spirit Lake and Dickinson County. On August 8, 1965, he married Caroline Kneeland of Marshalltown, Iowa. After living in Nashua, Iowa for one year they moved back to Spirit Lake. They were blessed with four wonderful children. Merlin held great pride for each of his kids and never missed one of their activities. Merlin graduated from Spirit Lake High School and Iowa State Teachers College (UNI). Early in his career he taught vocal music at CAL Community School at Latimer and Nashua Community School. The summer of 1966 Merlin and Caroline moved back to Spirit Lake to join the family farming business. During that time he ran his own hog operation and sold feed. Merlin was a member of the Spirit Lake UMC and served the congregation by sharing his musical talent through chancel choir and bell choir for many years. He was also an active member on Farm Bureau Board, church committees, Golden K Kiwanis, and attended countless activities at Spirit Lake Community School. He was a pioneer of the farmers market idea as he started Tritle's Gardens in the mid 80's. For the next 10 years he provided fresh fruits and vegetables to local residents and businesses. Additionally, he served the Spirit Lake Public Library as their custodian for 30 years. Many people will also remember his assistance when ordering at the lumber counter at Shoppers Supply. Merlin loved watching his kids and grandkids in their variety of activities, traveling near and far to support them from the sidelines. He was passionate about traveling the country and sharing his love of the mountains with his children, taking thousands of photographs along the way. Merlin passed away on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 with his wife and daughters by his side. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Caroline and their four children, Heather (Kevin) Vugteveen of Spirit Lake, Nathan (Barrett) Tritle of Flagstaff, Arizona, Brian (Laura) Tritle of St. George, Utah and Heidi Tritle (fiancé, Paul Parsons) of Spirit Lake; grandchildren, Kyler and Garret Vugteveen of Spirit Lake, Sam and Layne Tritle of Flagstaff, Andrew, Lily and Ruby Tritle of St. George, Kayla Klinghagen and Emma Parsons of Spirit Lake; siblings, Elwin (Donna) Tritle of Spirit Lake, Gail (Gina) Tritle of Bloomington, Minnesota and Gladys Nicholas of Woodbury, Minnesota; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws, brother, Duane and his wife, Bev and brother-in-law, Doug Nicholas. He will be missed by many.