| . . . . in Memory of . . . . |
- Merle Bykonen
A funeral service will be held for Merle Bykonen at 1:30 P.M. Saturday, March 7, 2009
at Plentywood Lutheran Church in Plentywood. Pastor Ron Martin-Dent will officiate
and burial will be in Plentywood Memorial Cemetery. Tricia Mock and Caitlin Nyby
will be the musicians and pallbearers will be Harvey Wehn, Roger Gilbertson, Jim
Stenejhem, Butch Nielsen, Wayne Hurst and Gerald Kohler. A luncheon will be
served at the church, following interment. Merle, 66, passed away unexpectedly of a
heart attack in Sidney, Montana on Saturday, February 28th.
Merle was born in Powers Lake, North Dakota August 14, 1942, a son of Francis and
Florence (Tande) Bykonen. He attended school in Balta and Battleview, North
Dakota and Medicine Lake, Montana. Merle and Judy (King) were married December
10, 1961at Plentywood Lutheran Church and made their home in Plentywood until
1980, when they moved to Raymond, Montana.
Merle served in the National Guard and worked at gasoline stations and then owned
and operated Merle's Exxon in Plentywood. After selling the gas station he worked for
Shermont Electric and also farmed and worked with live stock. Merle worked for
Roger's Tire Service until he retired because of his health.
Merle enjoyed hunting, fishing, making deer sausage, playing smear, progressive rummy and had just recently taken up cribbage. He
loved snowmobiling and was a member of the Sheridan Sno-Travelers. He loved animals, including his cows, pigs, dogs and his cat
Sadie. He enjoyed competing in demolition derby and snowmobile racing. Most of all Merle enjoyed the time he spent with his family
and friends.
Merle also took great pride in his community. He made sure the snow was plowed and the grass was mowed around Raymond.
Merle's actions spoke louder than words. Merle also kept up on sports so he could joke with his sons and cheer on the opposite team,
usually picking the winner.
Merle is survived by his wife Judy of Raymond and his children Marce Baldi and her husband Ed of Bigfork, Montana; Todd Bykonen and
his wife Heidi of Billings, Montana; Chad Bykonen and his wife Nicole also of Billings. Surviving are his grandchildren: Manny and Jacob
Baldi, Morgan, Whitney, Shane, T.J., Taylor, Riley and Zachary Bykonen. Also surviving is one great grandchild, Brooklynn Stensland. He
is survived by two sisters, Betty Mann of Plentywood, Montana and Flora Lee and her husband Pat of Plains, Montana. There are also
several nieces and nephews surviving.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Carolyn Arthur and two nieces Francie Smith and Wendy Tyler.
Fulkerson Funeral Home of Plentywood is in charge of arrangements.
| 1942 - 2009 |
Remembering Merle
Judy
Our condolences on the passing of Merle. Our prayers are with you.
Larry Erichsen
Moses Lake, WA
lcerichsen@hotmail.com
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Judy and family
Our condolences for your loss our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of sorrow our deepest sympathy to all of you at your time
of loss. Merle was one of my best friends when he lived in Balta .His parents and mine also were very dear friends He will truly be
missed but the fond memories will be in my heart .....Lee and Terry Miller Black Eagle, Montana.
Lee and Terry Miller
Black Eagle, Montana
modeltlee1@aol.com
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Judy and Family so very sorry to hear about Merle 's passing our prayers are with you.
Terry & Nancy Ketterman
Lake Havasu City, AZ
terryk40@frontiernet.net
..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Kendall Warren
Fargo, ND
kwarren_1515@yahoo.com
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Judy and Family, Sorry to hear of your loss. Merle always had a "how you been" smile. Fond memories, yes indeed.
Bryan Hurst
St. George,Utah
hurstbl@aol.com
...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Judy, I was sorry to hear of Merle's death. My sympathy to you and your family.
Brent Hodges
Papillion, NE 68133
blsrhodges@cox.net
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Judy, we were so sorry to hear that Merle had left this world. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Hope all of you are
doing okay.
Lola and Leroy Rusbult and family
P'wood, Mt.
.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Judy & family,
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family at the passing of Merle. He was one who always had a smile and Hello for you and what a
service station owner--knew how to treat people right. He will be missed in many ways.
Pat Brynjulson Halland
Colville, WA
pat_kenny64@hotmail.com
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Our condolences on the passing of Merle. Our prayers are with you.
Larry Erichsen
Moses Lake, WA
lcerichsen@hotmail.com
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Judy and family
Our condolences for your loss our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of sorrow our deepest sympathy to all of you at your time
of loss. Merle was one of my best friends when he lived in Balta .His parents and mine also were very dear friends He will truly be
missed but the fond memories will be in my heart .....Lee and Terry Miller Black Eagle, Montana.
Lee and Terry Miller
Black Eagle, Montana
modeltlee1@aol.com
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Judy and Family so very sorry to hear about Merle 's passing our prayers are with you.
Terry & Nancy Ketterman
Lake Havasu City, AZ
terryk40@frontiernet.net
..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Kendall Warren
Fargo, ND
kwarren_1515@yahoo.com
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Judy and Family, Sorry to hear of your loss. Merle always had a "how you been" smile. Fond memories, yes indeed.
Bryan Hurst
St. George,Utah
hurstbl@aol.com
...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Judy, I was sorry to hear of Merle's death. My sympathy to you and your family.
Brent Hodges
Papillion, NE 68133
blsrhodges@cox.net
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Judy, we were so sorry to hear that Merle had left this world. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Hope all of you are
doing okay.
Lola and Leroy Rusbult and family
P'wood, Mt.
.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Judy & family,
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family at the passing of Merle. He was one who always had a smile and Hello for you and what a
service station owner--knew how to treat people right. He will be missed in many ways.
Pat Brynjulson Halland
Colville, WA
pat_kenny64@hotmail.com
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................