Merrill Donald Gramke, 83, of rural Upland, passed away on Monday, August 16, 2021 at St. Luke's Good Samaritan Society in Kearney. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 20, 2021 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Minden with the Rev. Duane Duley officiating. The service will be live streamed to the church's YouTube channel. Interment with military honors will be held following services at the Upland Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at Craig Funeral Home in Minden. Cremation will take place following the visitation. Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Craig Funeral Home in Minden is in charge of the arrangements.

Merrill was born on January 21, 1938 in Minden to Carl and Dora (Fulle) Gramke. He grew up in the Upland area and graduated from Upland High School in 1955. He honorably served his country with U.S. Army National Guard. He was united in marriage to Carol Mae (Bunger) Bartels on June 25, 1971 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church south of Hildreth, and to this union two children were born: Rhonda Sue and Troy Merrill. The family made their home in Upland where Merrill farmed for many years.

Merrill was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Upland, and later St. Paul Lutheran Church in Minden. He was also a member of the Upland Volunteer Fire Department, and served on the Antelope Township Rural Board. He enjoyed country music and attending country music concerts, stock-car races, carpentry and building things, and playing card games. He loved spending time with family and friends, he loved his cows and bulls and had a profound love for Carol Mae's lemon meringue pie and fried chicken.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Carol Mae of Upland; son, Troy Gramke and wife, Dotti of Upland; daughter, Rhonda (Gramke) Johnson and friend, Jon Morgan of Kearney; two grandchildren, Carrin Gramke and Carmin Gramke; niece, Debra Johnson and husband, Rodney of Upland; great nieces, Janessa, Adrianne, Cassandra, and their children; as well as a host of extended relatives and close friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Dolores M. Soucie; and brother-in-law, Dwaine Soucie.

Tributes and memories can be shared with the family at www.craigfunerals.com .