Merle J. Hatle, 85, of Adams, passed away Friday, July 31, 2009 at the Austin Medical Center in Austin.
 He was born April 15, 1924 in Ransom County near Lisbon, N.D. to Emil and Lena (Johnson) Hatle. He was the youngest of their seven children. Merle was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church rural Lisbon. Both of his parents passed away when Merle was 11 years old and he was raised by his older brothers and sisters.
He graduated high school in Lisbon in 1942 and he married Myrtle L. Johanson on Nov. 19, 1942. They farmed in North Dakota until 1944 when they moved to the Adams area, where they farmed until retirement in 1988. In 1978 they moved into Adams; Merle continued to farm but he also worked at the Adams Health Care Center and he continued to do so after retiring from farming.
He was active in the Farmers Union, Marshall Lutheran Church, Forte Milers, county assessor and the Rusty Rail Dance Club and was also a corn seed dealer.
Merle really enjoyed spending time with his family and he will be missed.
Merle is survived by his children: David (Connie) Hatle, Austin, Curtis Hatle, Pelican Rapids, Minn., Gloria (Robert) Mallory, Austin, Michael (Barb) Hatle, Adams, Minn; 11 grandchildren: Rhanoda Kollar, Rhonda Hatle, Toni Hoffman, Eric Hatle, Curt Hatle, Jr., Kara Mallory, Jayme Lamers, Brady Mallory, Kya Hatle, Scott Hatle and Brandi Schneider; step-grandson: Jamie Tapp; 19 great-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; one brother-in-law; and two sisters-in-law. 
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Myrtle, in 2001; brothers, John and Clarence; sisters, Agnes Boe, Ella Himebaugh, Gladys Moen Boe and Myrtle Tukua.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 3, 2009 at Marshall Lutheran Church with the Rev. Shari Mason Officiating.  Interment will be in the Marshall Lutheran Church Cemetery.  Visitation will be at Adams Funeral Home on Sunday from 5-8 p.m. and at the church on Monday for one hour before the service. Organist will be Pat Hinz and soloist will be Dennis Boe.