Merlin Grant Liljenquist, 89, passed away peacefully on October 6, 2011. Merlin was born to George Edwin and Nellie Marguerite Johnson Liljenquist on December 23, 1921 in Rexburg.

He attended local schools and enjoyed tending the family cows and exploring, hiking and fishing in his youth. He graduated from Madison High School and delivered telegrams for the Western Union telegraph office after school. Merlin loved Rexburg and served in many capacities in the community throughout his life.

He married Willa Mae Shipley, from Hendersonville, North Carolina, on November 9, 1951. Merlin and Willa Mae raised five children and served in their church and several local civic organizations. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

His military service began in 1939 when je joined the National Guard. After the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, he served in the 776th Tank Destroyer Battalion in North Africa, Italy, France, Germany and Austria. After World War II he was a member of the Idaho National Guard until 1966, serving as First Sergeant. He was active in local veteran's organizations.

He worked in the Rexburg Post Office for twenty years and afterwards at Artco until he retired.

Merlin was soft-spoken, but fearless. His was a life of selfless service to his wife and five children: Carolyn, David, Donald, Michael and Krista. He sacrificed much to provide a good life and an happy home for his family.

The family attributes their love of gardening now to working side-by-side with their father each summer in the family garden.

He enjoyed camping, golf and other sports, photography and collecting stamps and coins. There were countless family fishing outings near Mack's Inn and at the Coffee Pot Rapids on the Henry's Fork and also on the Buffalo and Warm Rivers.

Dad, we will see you soon around the next bend in the river. Leave a few fish for the rest of us.

Merlin was preceded in death by his beloved wife Willa Mae; his good parents; sisters Rachael and husband Joseph Greenland and Ruth and husband Lowell Hammond; brother George and wife Emma and brothers Lamont and Gerald.

He is survived by his sister-in-law Bonnie (Gerald) Liljenquist; his children: Carolyn (Bill) Parker, David Hodge, Don (Jeanie) Hodge, Mike (LuAnne) Liljenquist and Krista (Lyle) Soderquist; 30 grandchildren, 56 great grandchildren and 13 great great grandchildren.

The family expresses their deep gratitude to Merlin's many good friends and kind neighbors. Thank you also to the medical professionals who cared for him in recent weeks.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at the Flamm Funeral Home in Rexburg, with a visitation for family and friends one hour prior to services. Interment will be, with military rites, in the Rexburg Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to www.flammfh.com.