Merle Ray Christensen was born December 5, 1957 to Ralph and Lucille (Jensen) Christensen in Beresford, SD. He died May 1, 2009 in Beresford. Merle lived on the family farm until his fathers death in 1975. He was baptized and confirmed at Nazareth Lutheran Church. Merle graduated from Beresford High School in 1976 and graduated from Mitchell Area Vo-Tech with a degree in Architectural Drafting and Building Construction. He went to work for Great Plains Building Supply on May 1, 1978.

Merle married his high school sweetheart, Debra Wickstrom, daughter of Warren and Donna Wickstrom, on June 9, 1978. They were blessed with a son, James, in 1980.

Merle worked as a carpenter in and around Beresford for 10 years. In 1988 he went to work for Henry Carlson Construction Company in Sioux Falls. While working there he worked on various projects including the dormitories at Woodfield Center, CCHS, Walmart, Bell Federal Credit Union and the Sertoma Park Picnic Shelter and Sanford Hospital.

In May of 1995 Merle was seriously injured in a fall and suffered a traumatic brain injury. He spent 13 months in rehab at McKennan Hospital, Covington Heights and Good Samaritan in Centerville. After he returned home, he continued working on his rehab under the direction of Ruth Scott, PT. Merle far exceeded the expectations of all the doctors that worked with him after the accident. When asked how he was able to do something he shouldnt have been able to do, given his limitations, his answer was always the same, Where theres a will, theres a way. He received generous outpourings of care and concern from all the citizens of Beresford. He was a friend to all.

Merle was a 10 year member of the Beresford Lions Club. He attended gun club in Beresford and Sioux Falls with his lifelong friend, Ronnie Nielsen. He was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Beresford and later First Baptist Church in Sioux Falls. He spent his days babysitting Rylynn and scrap booking sports memorabilia. Merle was an avid Minnesota Twins fan and Minnesota Vikings fan.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ralph; uncle, Clarence Jensen; mother and father-in-law; sister-in-law, Deborah (Brown) Wickstrom; brother-in-law and best friend, Rick Wickstrom and nephew, Todd Mennis.

Among those who survive and gratefully shared his life are his mother, Lucille Christensen of Sioux Falls; wife, Deb Christensen; son, James and wife Sheena (Bertsch) Christensen; his other kids, Chris and Kate (Wickstrom) Andal, Kristin Wickstrom and Jordan Wickstrom; his grandkids, Dylan, Isaac and Ian Andal and Rylynn Wickstrom. Also surviving are his brother, Marlow and Donna (Johnson) Christensen; sister, Marie and Scott Aseltine; sisters-in-law, Sherry Mennis and Samadhi Ishaya; nieces and nephews, Dale and Sheree Christensen, Doug and Darcy Christensen, Don Christensen, Laura Aseltine, Troy Mennis, Melissa Mennis, Eric and Brooke Carter and Matthew and Sabrina Carter; and many great-nieces and nephews.

A worship service will be 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 5th at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Beresford followed by a memorial service at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church in Sioux Falls.