Merle Holliday

Doc was a member of the La Crescent American Legion Post 595 for over 40 years. He had many fond memories of his Legion days, holding many offices including Post Commander, District Commander, and Department of MN Vice Commander. Doc loved working with the young people of the community. He worked many years with the Legions Boys State program, and with the La Crescent High School youth for the Legion Oratorical program.

Doc was a member of Crucifixion Church in La Crescent for more than 30 years. He & Elaine celebrated their 50th wedding Anniversary on August 4, 1999. Sadly, Elaine passed away suddenly 2 weeks later on August 18th.

On April 26, 2003, Merle married Jeanne (Yost) Norby at Mary Mother of the Church in La Crosse. Merle & Jeanne resided in Shelby before moving to Bethany on Cass in Feb. of 2013.

Merle is survived by his wife Jeanne, his six children, 15 grandchildren, & 19 great-grandchildren. Merle is further survived by Jeannes 6 children and their families, Dennis (Diane) Norby of IL, Cheryl Peterson(Dave Bowen) of Greendale, WI, Barb Norby (Greg Yahnke) of Holmen, Sue (John) Nieberman of Onalaska, Larry Norby of Kalamazoo, MI, and James Norby of Rochester, also 10 step-grandchildren, and 8 step-great-grandchildren He is further survived by his brother Donald(Rita) of Hokah, sister-in-law Cecelia Horn, and brother-in-law Gregory (Carol) Zumach all of LaCrescent, as well as many nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Elaine, his brother Robert in infancy, his sister Arlys Wallender, his brother-in-law Carl Fuller and his sister-in-law Phyllis Zibrowski.

Merles family would like to thank the staff at Mayo Health System, 7th floor, especially Dr. Mohan Sengodan. They would also like to thank the staff at Bethany Riverside and Bethany on Cass for the caring help they provided.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, December 6, 2013 at Mary Mother of the Church Parish at St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Burial with military rites by the Gittens Leidel American Legion Post 595 will be in the Crucifixion Catholic Cemetery, La Crescent. Friends may call on the family Thursday evening at the church from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. where a rosary will be recited at 4:00 P.M. Visitation will also be held at the church on Friday morning from 9:30 A.M. until the Mass begins.The Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services La Crosse chapel is in charge of arrangements.In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be used in Merles memory.



God took the strength of a mountain

The majesty of a tree

The warmth of summer sun

The calm of a quiet sea

The generous soul of nature

The wisdom of the ages

The power of the eagles flight,

Then God combined these qualities,

There was nothing more to add.

His masterpiece was now complete.

He lovingly called it DAD.