Violet H. Merkel

Violet Helen (Gulke) Merkel 94 of Ellendale, ND died March 6, 2025 at Benedictine Living Community, Ellendale. Violet was the daughter of Jacob and Sophia (Quashnick) Gulke, born November 4, 1930 at Forbes, ND. She lived on a farm and in 1936 the family moved to California. She attended school in Escalon, CA while living there for 2 ½ years. In 1938, Violet’s mother died and they returned to the family farm. Violet attended Ellendale school to the eighth grade then went to the Plainview Academy in Redfield, SD graduating in 1950. She attended college at State Normal and Industrial College, Ellendale for a summer term. She taught school from 1950 to 1953. On September 21, 1953, Violet married Marvin Merkel and moved to their farm east of Ellendale where they raised their three sons. She kept busy keeping up her yard, gardening and helping on the farm. In 1983 Violet and Marvin built their new home where the family had many German meals and apple pies. Violet always felt blessed that her three sons and their wives lived close by. Violet first became a grandma in 1975 and her whole lifestyle changed. Eventually she ended up nurturing seven grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Violet loved her grandchildren very much and enjoyed being involved with them. When the grandchildren came over, rather than watching TV, Violet spent time teaching them art, painting, drawing, playing checkers, doing puzzles, making apple turnovers, doing dishes and making “nests”(for napping) on the floor. Violet was a life-long member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Ellendale where she had many jobs. She enjoyed art, painting, horses, cooking German dishes for family gatherings and making quilts for family and friends. Violet is survived by her sons: Randy & Susan, John & Deb and Scott & Stacy; seven grandchildren: Kendall, Kelli (Chris), Kristen (Justin); Mitchell (Lacey), Reed (Charlotte); Marisa, Evan; 14 great-grandchildren: Landon, Azalea, Elon; Tyler, Gabby, Ryan; Cash, River; Bristol, Eva, Pearl Violet; Canyon Violet, Lincoln; and Emerson. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, four brothers: Reinhold, Bill, Erwin and Walter; and one sister: Lillian.

The funeral is 2pm Thursday, March 13, 2025 at Seventh day Adventist Church, 400 Main St., Ellendale. Visitation one hour prior to services at the church. Burial is at Ellendale City Cemetery. Violet’s service will be live streamed at hovenfuneralchapel.com on her obituary page. Arrangements by Hoven Funeral Chapel, Ellendale.

In lieu of flowers please send memorials to the Seventh Day Adventist Church, 400 Main St. Ellendale, ND 58436 for the purchase of children’s chairs.

To watch the service live: keep moving down this page and watch for a black box. At time of the service, click the red area to start the live stream. Please note the service is also recorded and saved here for viewing at a later time.