Merlin Boike

Merlin George Boike was born May 27, 1952 at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar to Dorothy (Priebe) and George Boike. He was baptized at Rice Hospital on May 30, 1952 by Pastor Norbert Augst of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Clara City, Minnesota. He was later confirmed by Pastor Arthur Nickel of Immanuel Lutheran Church. Merlin graduated from Clara City High School in 1970. He graduated from Willmar Community College with an AA Degree and from Moorhead State College with a BS Degree in 1975. He taught junior/senior high school social studies, drivers’ education, and coached boys’ basketball in Flaxton, ND; Waubay, SD; and Lyle, MN. before retiring. Merlin was formerly of Clara City and at the time of his passing, was a resident of Willmar. He died from complications of heart disease, diabetes, fibromyalgia and emphysema at St Cloud Hospital on Friday, May 29, 2015 at the age of 63 years.
He is survived by his mother, Dorothy Boike of Clara City, 3 brothers—Wayne (Linda) Boike of Shoreview, Lyle (Kris) Boike of Montevideo, Dean (Kim) Boike of Willmar. He is also survived by 5 nieces & 3 nephews—Jennifer (Kevin) Josephson of Eagan, Julie (Craig) Colee of St Augustine, FL; Jackie (Josh) Ahlstrom of Burnsville, David (Brittin) Boike of Alexandria, Kevin Boike of Morris, Carrie Boike of Willmar, Amanda Boike (Peter Bockhaus) of Fargo, ND and Ryan Boike (Kayla Knutson) of Bloomington. He is also survived by 8 great nieces and great nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, George and his grandparents, Folgo & Rena (Broers) Boike and George and Josie (Dieken) Priebe and great niece, Lily Grace Ahlstrom.