Mervin Alton Quinnell

May 5, 1925 - December 20, 2017

Mervin Alton Quinnell, age 92 of Spring Grove, MN, passed away on Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah, IA. Mervin was born May 5, 1925 along with his twin sister, Marilyn, to Hilmar and Emma (Newhouse) Quinnell. They also had an older brother, Ellsworth. He lived on a farm in Wilmington Township until about 4 years old, then moved to Spring Grove where he lived and attended Spring Grove Public Schools. He graduated in 1943 and then spent 2 years working for the Lorentz Myrah farms. He then felt a need to serve his country, enlisted in the 9th Airforce and served 2 years, stationed in Germany at Furth Airbase outside Nurnberg. Merv was an MP (military police) guarding planes on the tarmac at night that were used for bombing missions. He also stood guard for planes used for the 10th Photo Recon Group during World War II. After service, Mervin worked for John and Ray Ostern for 4 years before being offered a job with Onstad Dairy in the early 1950’s, working there for 3 years. On October 15, 1950 he married Ione Ellestad, making their home in Spring Grove. He also worked with the Minnesota State Highway Department in the late 1950’s. Mervin missed doing construction so he started working for Spring Grove Builders in 1958, working 15 years with them. In 1973, he started with Anderson Lumber in Spring Grove. Being an accomplished craftsman, he then worked on his own with Leland Morken doing carpentry jobs. Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Ione, children, Steve (Lori) of Rochester, Cheryl (Robert) Abbott of Morris, OK, and Russell (Sharon) of Hayfield. Also his grandchildren, Eric (Kim) Abbott, Tina (Jeff) Gehring, Shelley (Shane) Yohe and Kari (Jonny) Ogelsby, and great-grandchildren, Brayley and Shelby Abbott; Natalie, Nicole and Amy Gehring; Kyle and Tyler Ogelsby and Paisley Yohe. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hilmar and Emma Quinnell, a brother Ellsworth and sister Marilyn.