Scott Merkel Obituary

Scott Alan Merkel, 65, suddenly passed away on Saturday, August 2nd, 2025, at his home in Ellendale, ND. A memorial service is 3pm Sunday, August 10, 2025 at New Life Assembly of God Church (formerly the Seventh-Day Adventist Church along Highway 11, Ellendale) with Chaplin Dan Sweeney officiating. Visitation is one hour prior to services at the church. Burial is at Ellendale City Cemetery. Scott’s service will be live streamed at hovenfuneralchapel.com on his obituary page. In Lieu of Flowers, please send memorials to Aberdeen Area Humane Society 2511 385th Ave. S. Aberdeen, SD 57401. Arrangements by Hoven Funeral Chapel, Ellendale.

Scott was born to Marvin and Violet (Gulke) Merkel on July 7, 1960, in Ellendale, ND. He was the youngest of three sons, growing up on the family farm near Ellendale. Scott attended Ellendale Public School and graduated with the Class of “1978 the Great.” He went on to attend NDSCS in Wahpeton, where he earned a degree in welding.

After college, he embarked on a six-month adventure to Kauai with some of his closest friends, doing landscaping work and creating many fond memories. When his time in Kauai came to an end, he worked in the oil patch as a roughneck from 1980 to 1984, returning home each spring and summer to help with farming.

On March 30th, 1985, Scott married his high school sweetheart and classmate, Stacy (Harmon) Merkel, and began farming full-time. Together, they raised two children who brought joy, laughter, and perhaps a few gray hairs to their lives. They were later blessed with a granddaughter, of whom Scott was incredibly proud.

In 2006, Scott begrudgingly welcomed the dog he didn’t want. For nearly eighteen years, if you saw Scott, you likely saw Punky riding shotgun on their daily drives to check crops and enjoy the outdoors. Scott and Punky were inseparable, and he was often referred to as Scott’s favorite child.

Scott enjoyed hunting and farming—especially harvest season, which he cherished spending with his brothers, friends, and son. A lesser-known hobby of his was cooking, famously stating, “You can never have enough butter,” which was evident in many of his holiday creations. A common practice of his was grilling a steak whenever his children’s friends were around, always saying, “It’s a good day when your belly is full.” Through these acts, he unknowingly set the standard in his daughter’s life that not just any steak would do.

During Scott’s final months, the unwavering dedication of Stacy was a testament to their deep love and commitment. Despite the intense challenges posed by Scott’s pain and illness, Stacy remained by his side, providing constant care and support.

Scott was a complex individual who expressed his love in a way uniquely his own. Those close to him knew that beneath his tough love—at times mixed with sharp criticism—was a deep and genuine desire for those he loved to improve themselves and succeed. His commitment to family and friends was a true testament to his character and way of life. Scott Alan Merkel lived his life humbly, authentically, and often unapologetically—staying true to himself.

He is survived by his wife, Stacy Merkel; daughter, Marisa Merkel; son, Evan Merkel; granddaughter, Emerson Merkel; brothers, Randy (Susan) Merkel and John (Debbie) Merkel; mother-in-law, Sharon Harmon; four sisters-in-law and their husbands. Scott was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Violet Merkel; father-in-law, Nolan Harmon; and faithful sidekick, Punky.