A Celebration of Life Service to honor the life and legacy of Merlyn Clarence Rossow, age 88, of Lakefield, will be held Thursday, September 10th at 11:00AM at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lakefield, with a time of visitation and gathering from 9:00 to 11:00 AM. Burial will be in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Lakefield.

Merlyn went home to heaven on Saturday, September 5, 2026. His was a life rooted in faith, family, and farming-a life filled with hard work, music, laughter, farming conversations, and a genuine desire to help others.

Merlyn was born January 31, 1938, at home on the family farm in Delafield Township, Jackson County, Minnesota, the oldest child of Clarence and Margaret (Reineke) Rossow. He was baptized February 27, 1938, and later confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church on May 18, 1952. He attended Immanuel Lutheran School as a child, graduated from Lakefield High School with the Class of 1956, and attended Worthington Junior College, while working for Hugo Schulz Construction.

Merlyn married his sweetheart, Phyllis Wulf, who he nicknamed "Phil Babe", daughter of Ernest and Florence Wulf, on July 19, 1958. For more than 68 years, Merlyn and Phyllis shared a marriage built on love, faith, perseverance, and family. Their marriage was blessed with three daughters, Wendalyn, Sherilyn, and Carolyn, and later with 8 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren who became some of Merlyn's greatest joys.

Merlyn and Phyllis made their home on the Wulf family farm west of Lakefield. Farming wasn't merely Merlyn's livelihood-it was in his blood. He loved the land, the changing seasons, and even the challenges that came with farm life. Over the years the family raised beef cattle, hogs, sheep, and chickens and grew corn, soybeans, alfalfa, and other crops.

Merlyn was also the family's unofficial historian. When someone had a question about the Rossow family tree, Merlyn was the "go-to" person. If he knew the answer, he would tell you the story; if he didn't, he would look it up. He loved genealogy, reading, learning, and preserving family history. He was even involved in helping return a stolen family tombstone to the cemetery-a fitting story for a man who believed the people and stories that came before us mattered.

Merlyn loved conversations especially when it turned to family history, farming, or the people he loved. He was always willing to help and was often the first person to lend a hand when someone needed one. He enjoyed friends, family gatherings, fishing, hunting, and simply being around people. He fished many lakes and enjoyed time in northern Minnesota, and he also hunted deer and coyotes through the years.

Music was woven throughout Merlyn's life. He sang in his school quartet and in the church choir and played the accordion-often by ear. When the mood struck, out came the harmonica. At family birthday parties, Merlyn's music became part of the celebration. And when he couldn't be there, he might still call on the telephone to sing "Happy Birthday." He loved old-time music and polkas, and those familiar songs will forever bring his family back to memories of him.

Merlyn's faith was the foundation beneath everything else. A lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, he was baptized and confirmed in, he also sang in the choir, served as a trustee and Sunday School superintendent, and shared his musical gifts on many occasions. He loved his church, loved his family, his faith and farming.

Merlyn is survived by his loving wife, Phyllis Rossow of Lakefield; their three daughters, Wendalyn (Tim) Tungland of Lakefield, Sherilyn (Tim) Timko of Okabena, and Carolyn (Tracy) Zierke of Blue Earth; eight grandchildren, Teri Jo Olean, Tami Farmer, Nicole Dagel, Tyler Timko, Hunter Timko, Jacob Beeler, Caleb Beeler, Liz Beeler; great-grandchildren, Regan Farmer(Fiancé Trevon Zeman), Maci Farmer, Aiven Farmer, Kason Farmer and Zadi Farmer; Shayden Olean; Grady Dagel, Claire Dagel; Murphy Timko, Maeve Timko, and Maverick Timko; and many relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Margaret Rossow; his brother Leland, his nephew Ethan; his sister-in-law Doris Rossow and other loved ones who went before him.

Merlyn understood better than most that life has its seasons. A farmer plants in faith, tends what has been entrusted to him, and patiently waits for the harvest. Merlyn did much the same with his life-rooted in faith, devoted to his family, and grateful for the land he was blessed to farm.

The measure of Merlyn's life cannot be found only in the years he lived or the acres he farmed. It is found in time spent together on the farm, an accordion playing at a party, a family story remembered and passed along, a fishing trip, a visit in his ranger, a helping hand, and a faith quietly lived day after day. Those are the things his family and friends will miss, and those are the things they will carry with them.

"See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains." - James 5:7

After 88 seasons on this earth, Merlyn's work here is finished, his harvest is gathered, and he is home.