Merle Basil Stowe was born at home April 6, 1928 in Santiago township to Melvin Stowe and Mary (White) Stowe. He was born and raised in the area and still lives just north of Santiago. He was confirmed at Glendorado Lutheran Church. Merle married Deloris Svihel June 3, 1948 at Foley Presbyterian Church. Merle and Deloris raised three children: Linda, Sue and Glenn. 

 

Merle was born and raised during the depression. He attended country school. His life growing up was difficult. Merle lost his sister Lorriane (eight years older than Merle) to TB when she was just 22. His mother also suffered from TB around the same time. 

 

Just a few years later, Merle lost his father. 

 

Merle was pretty much fending for himself by the age of 15. Merle left home with his brother Vernon. They went to southern Minnesota (Clarksfield) to work, as they needed money to help care for their family after his father died. Merle and his brother were joined  by neighbors Clare Markfort and Kermit Hopland. 

 

Merle joined the U.S. Navy in 1946 at the age of 18 (17 truth be told). He completed Basic Training in Corpus Christi, TX and was stationed in Pensacola, FL and San Diego, CA. Merle worked as an airplane mechanic and helped training pilots flying four engine planes. 

 

I got to know the Stowe family when I worked as a cashier for Virgil Gilyard at the gas station (Country Store) in Santiago in the mid-1980’s. Merle was always friendly and   smiling.

 

My brother Roger owned his own business driving a stock truck to the South St. Paul Stockyards from 1971 to 1986. Roger and Merle became friends, as Merle also hauled livestock to South St. Paul, as well as freight. He says he always found it interesting work - hauling refrigerators and other applicances for Foley Hardware. I am not surprised Merle enjoyed his work. It is obvious he has a very positive attitude. 

 

Roger and Merle helped each other out hauling a load if the other’s truck broke down. They enjoyed visiting and sharing stories. 

 

It was not uncommon for Merle to make two trips per day from the Santiago area to South St. Paul. He had a wonderful dispatcher named Mary in the cities who arranged never ending trips, as well people making appointments for service by calling and stopping by their home. 

 

Merle and I laughed as we recalled one time my brother Roger had stopped for coffee and a bite to eat after unloading pigs. It turns out that instead of a cafe, Roger had unknowingly wandered into the Chanhassen Dinner Theater in its earlier days (1970’s). His ‘cologne’ was a subject of conversation at the dinner theater and he made a quick exit. 

 

We shared a chuckle as we recalled Merle’s wife Deloris and daughter Sue washing his soiled coveralls at the end of a long work day back and forth to the stockyard loading and unloading cows and pigs. His daughter Sue chimed in that the combination of cow and pig manure took her breath away and she often used a stick to grab his dirty coveralls to launder them!

 

Merle trucked for over 40 years. He retired from truck driving at the age of 70, although he still enjoys being around trucks at his grandson Jeff’s business (JM Truck and Tractor) south of Foley. 

 

Merle is proud of his  grandson Dylan who milks cows and farms the family land.  

 

Merle is very civic minded. He has served on numerous boards over the years. He told me” If there is a board to serve on, I have probably been on it!”

 

He served over 30 years on the school board of District 11 country school. He was on the Civil Defense Board, Farmers Union and his church board. He also was a member of Benton County Historical Society for over 15 years. 

 

He had a milk route to Oak Park for 15+ years. He also milked cows for many years.  

 

Merle has enjoyed collecting stamps since the early 1960’s. His aunt Nora White (his mother’s sister) got him interested in the hobby. She was a school teacher who never married. He enjoyed spending time with Aunt Nora her and her brother Dan White and Merle watched over them in their old age. Merle has between 100,000 and 200,000 stamps organized in binders! Merle has donated hundreds of ordinary stamps to the VFW who, in turn, get credits for VA hospital expenses. 

 

He also has a huge tractor collection he proudly showed me during our visit. 

 

Merle still lives in his own house and mows his own lawn. Merle’s children and most grandchildren live nearby. 

 

He continues to be the acting fire warden for Glendorado township, although millenials often choose to get their burning permits online nowadays. 

 

Although he can no longer polka, Merle still enjoys old tyme music on t.v. He and his late wife loved to go dancing. 

 

Merle has one sibling still alive - sister Bev - in California. His brother Vernon passed away in 2004. 

 

Merle spends a lot of time with his children. His daughters were there the day I visited. It is obvious they enjoy one another. Merle told me: “I ain’t gonna get old!” 

 

Merle’s daughter Linda shared: “Dad has been a solid teacher for myself and my children. He always taught us to be grateful for what we have.” 

 

Merle Stowe is an inspiration. I can’t help but wonder if remaining active has been instrumental in Merle staying young. 

 

It is always fun to reminisce. I hope I accomplish a fraction of what he has in his lifetime. Merle is a wonderful example of continuing to serve, even at the age of 90!