Merlin Zink

Merlin was born July 10, 1943 at the family farm in Carrington, ND. He was the youngest of six, as his twin sister, Marlene, was born just minutes before him. Waiting to spoil them were his sisters, Jorene, Judy, Joyce, and brother, Richard. Growing up on the farm meant things like a favorite pony, a large garden to help weed, eggs to gather and the early morning and evening milking of cows.

Being a farm boy of the 40’s meant his first eight years of school were at a country school, just a few miles away from their home. Freshman year had him riding the bus into Carrington to attend Carrington High, graduating from there in 1961.

Merlin’s career in the elevator business began at the Nickolson Elevator while he was still in high school. A career that would take him to Enderlin, ND, Regent, ND and then to Baker where he was at the Baker Grain Elevator for over fifty years. Retiring due to health issues. After a hard fought battle with cancer, he passed away at his home on November 24, 2025.

Along on his journey was his wife, Elaine, whom he married on November 10, 1964. Their marriage was blessed with three children, Pat, Kim and Michele.

He was a man of few words, but was known to have a quip or two ready to throw your way. We knew his health had taken a serious turn when he no longer was saying that he was “finer than fox hair”.

Missing him deeply are his wife, Elaine; children, Pat (Natalie), Kim and Michele (Joe) Arellano; granddaughters, Shayna (Cory) Hendrix, Shawnee (Jon) Thompson, Carmryn Zink, Syndey, Shelby and Sophie Arellano; great granddaughters, Taylee Hendrix and Teagan Thompson; sisters, Marlene (Duane) Anderson, Joyce Paulson; brother, Richard Zink; sister-in-law, Jan (Dennis) Hart; brothers-in-law, Charles Larson, Fred (Val) Piatz; numerous nieces and nephews.

Waiting for him were his mother and father, Harold and Erna Zink; sisters, Jorene Larson and Judy Greene; his aunt and uncle, Jack and Ella Prentice; mother and father-in-law, Grace and Frank Piatz; brothers-in-law, John Greene, Lyle Paulson, Maynard Schander; nephews, Brian Piatz, Jeff Schander; niece, Julie Staigle.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.