Merle Hooker

Merle Leslie Hooker, 93, of Laporte, MN died on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, with his family by his side, at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND. Merle was born November 21, 1928 in Menahga, MN, the son of Archie and Zella (Kidd) Hooker. At a young age, Merle and his family moved to Lake Alice (Laporte, MN) were he attended school. Following school, Merle worked as a logger and at Itasca State Park before enlisting in the Minnesota National Guard to serve his country in the Korean War. Returning home from the war, Merle was united in marriage to Betty Mae Miller on October 18, 1952. Merle then began to work at the Hanna Mines in Keewatin, MN until he retired in 1983. Merle enjoyed hunting, farming, tinkering in his shop, and daily coffee with his good friend Wally. Merle loved his family and God above all, and taught his family to be faithful. He was a warm and thoughtful husband, brother, father, grandfather, and uncle. Merle was preceded in death by his father Archie Hooker, mother Zella Hooker, and brother Earl Hooker. He is survived by his wife Betty Hooker, daughter Glenda (Kim) Krueger, son Doug (Laurie) Hooker, granddaughter Jenny (Tim) Carriveau, grandson Kraig (Toni) Krueger, grandson Taylor Hooker, grandson Damean White and five greatgrandchildren. A memorial will be held at 4pm on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Park Rapids, MN with lunch to follow.