Merlin S. Battcher

Merlin S. Battcher, age 88 of Gaylord, formerly of Arlington, MN, died on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at Bayside Manor in Gaylord, MN.  Memorial Mass will be on Friday, September 27, 2024, 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Arlington, MN.  Visitation will be at the Kolden Funeral Home that morning from 9:00 a.m. until about 10:50 a.m., we will  then proceed to the church for the 11:00 a.m. Mass.  Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Arlington.  Lunch will be served at the church social hall following the burial services.

Merlin was born on December 8, 1935, in Gaylord, MN to Archie and Cecelia (Thomes) Battcher.  He grew up in Arlington and worked at the Lido Theatre running projectors as a high school student.  He graduated from Arlington High School.  He married Josephine Bailey on April 7, 1956.  He worked for many years for his dad at Battcher Electric. In 1971, he started his own business, Aero Electric, specializing in wiring water towers.  Later in life, he purchased his dad’s business, and combined them, using the name Battcher & Aero Electric.  He also served his community as a member of the Minnesota National Guard, and as a Knight of Columbus.

His hobbies included fishing with family, and vacationing in Mexico, Arizona and Lake Edward, in Brainerd Minnesota.  He and JoDell enjoyed traveling together.  He enjoyed flying single engine airplanes and having fly-in gatherings at his home where he had a small runway.  Later in life, he changed to RC airplanes.  Durning retirement, he developed a talent for painting and shared this talent with family and friends through his artwork.

Survived by wife Josephine, children; Mona (Jim) Polzin, Mark (Mary) Battcher, Becky (Tim) Dahl, Bobbi (John) Zaske, Michael Battcher and Shawn (Michelle) Battcher.  Grandchildren; Susie (Jeremy) Noyes and Brian Kamps; Travis (Melissa) Paulsen, Kara Paulsen, Kasey (James) Hornak; Danielle (Troy) Uecker, Merl (Jenny) Battcher, Melissa Battcher; Patrick Alsleben, Mick (Ali) Alsleben; Jeremy (Jenny) Latzke, Brook (Nate) Uecker; Nicole (Jeremy) Otto, Jesse Battcher, Kaitlyn Battcher, Kylee (Tim) Young, Nathan Schweizer; Brittany (Andy) Clark, Thomas Battcher and Lorraine Battcher.  37 Great-grandchildren and 3 Great- great-grandchildren.  Siblings, Jerry (Patty) Battcher, Judy Engel.

He is preceded in death by his parents, infant daughter, Dawn, daughter, Renee and grandsons Jason Jacobus and Brett Battcher.  Sister, June Deno and many brothers-in law and sisters-in-law.