To view a livestream of the service access https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDxEeU9kkqnOW3f7DKJhRcg or https://www.facebook.com/p/Oak-Valley-Lutheran-Church-in-Velva-100066383613476/
Claudette Merck, 77, Velva, died Wednesday, August 16, 2023, surrounded with love from her husband John, twin sons Mark and Michael and brother Todd.
Claudette Kaye Haga was born September 23, 1945 at Trinity Hospital in Minot, ND. She was the daughter of Arnold Ruben and Leona Jensena (Roebuck) Haga. Claudette was raised and educated in Velva, ND, graduating with the class of 1963. She attended Minot State Teacher’s College, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Pathology and Elementary Education in 1967 and completed her Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology in 1984.
Claudette was employed by McHenry County as a speech pathologist from 1967-1973, serving the schools of Velva, Drake, Anamoose, Balfour and Karlsruhe. She was employed part time by schools in Butte and Max from 1976-1980. She spent the remainder of her career providing services through Souris Valley Special Services serving the communities of Velva and Sawyer until her retirement in 2010.
Claudette was united in marriage to John L. Merck on October 28, 1967, in Karlsruhe, ND. They made their home in Velva and were blessed with twin sons.
Claudette was a member of Oak Valley Lutheran Church. She enjoyed time spent in the garden, tending to her flowers or getting lost in a good book. Claudette was a great cook and was affectionately known as the ‘cookie grandma’ to her grandchildren. Claudette will be remembered for her witty but gentle and genuine spirit, who was always there for everyone and everything.
Claudette was preceded in death by her parents, nephew Daniel Haga and in-laws John C. and Anna (Leier) Merck.
Claudette is survived by her ‘brown eyed handsome man’ of 55 years, John, Velva; sons Mark (Sara) Merck of Hillsboro and Michael Merck of Hazen, ND; granddaughters Addyson and Avery Merck and step grandson Landen Mosbrucker; brother Todd (Debra) Haga, Bismarck, ND; niece Lindsey (Matthew) Benson and their children Graham and Elise of Velva, ND and nephew Darren (Britney) Haga and their son Calvin of Hazen, ND along with many beloved cousins.
Service to Celebrate Claudette’s Life: 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at Oak Valley Lutheran Church, Velva, ND with visitation one hour prior to the start of the service in the church. To view a livestream of the service access https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDxEeU9kkqnOW3f7DKJhRcg or https://www.facebook.com/p/Oak-Valley-Lutheran-Church-in-Velva-100066383613476/
Interment: Velva Community Cemetery, Velva, ND
Memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society.
