Merle Eugene Fredericks

Merle Eugene Fredericks, the son of Fred and Martha (Meehlhause) Fredericks, was born on December 31, 1933 in Hartley, Iowa. Merle was raised and received his early education in Hartley and graduated from high school in 1953. On August 12, 1954, Merle entered into the military, serving in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. Merle was honorably discharged on July 30, 1956. On September 2, 1956, Merle married Shirley Franker at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Royal. Following their marriage, he owned and operated a barbershop, Laundromat and car wash. In 1970, he and his wife went into the grocery business and owned and operated the Royal Clover Farm Store, which later became Frederick's Market of Royal. In 1990, a restaurant was added to the business. Merle was one of the charter members of the Royal Lion's Club, served as Mayor of Royal, and also was a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. He enjoyed fishing in Canada, South Dakota and Northern Minnesota, cooking, attending the many activities his grandchildren participated in, and most of all, caring for his wife, children and grandchildren. Merle passed away on April 9, 2011, at the Ruthven Care Center, at the age of 77. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers and two sisters. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Shirley of Royal; four daughters: Tamra Prentice (Jerry) of Brainerd, MN and their daughter, Cassie; Jill Hickey (Rick) of Royal and their son, Cole; Marcy Breidinger (Scott) of Greenville and their children, Jenna and Brock; and Kay Thompson of Royal and her children, Tori and Skylar, (her friend, Donny and his son, Kaden); one brother, Malvern of New Mexico; two sisters: Deloris Glorieux (John) of Florida and Leola O'Brien of Urbandale, IA; and many relatives and friends.

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