Final Salute

Merle Riddle, 86 years young, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025.

He was born in Wytoss, MN, June 25, 1939.

His life was spent in the service of others. He spent four years as a Seabee in the United States Navy, was a maintenance supervisor at Tonka Toys, and ended his career as maintenance supervisor at DC Schools for many years, helping to oversee numerous construction projects and supervising the district’s custodial staff. While at DC, he was also enlisted to temporarily head the HLW district maintenance department.

Merle was an accepting, loving, enthusiastic man with a very quick wit. He loved traveling, all things educational, sports of all kinds (especially those he and his children and grandchildren played), and was able to repair just about anything. He was a master woodworker and read the Strib cover-to-cover daily.

He is survived by his best friend and loving wife of 45 years, Barbara; his daughters, Samantha (Jason) Nissen, Courtney (Todd) Wozniak, Kelly Riddle, and Peggy Korbel; and grandchildren, McKenna, Reese, and Camden Nissen, Hudson, Briggs, Morgan, and Bryce (Trinity) Wozniak, and Nick Korbel and Ashley Dovell.

He is also survived by one sister, June (Wayne) Anderson; sister-in-law, Tina Hamilton; and brothers-in-law, John (Yancey Thrift) Andreasen and Peter (Cathy) Andreasen.

In addition, he is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews who loved him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Lilly, and father, Alex; four sisters (Alice, Edith, Delores, and Harriett); and three brothers (Earl, Melvin, and Raymond).

A special thank you to his Allina hospice team. Bless you all.

Merle was so deeply loved. Blessed be his memory always.