Wilfried Meers

The funeral for Wilfried Meers, of West Fargo, North Dakota, formerly of Chokio, Minnesota will be held on Friday, August 28, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church near Johnson, Minnesota. Reverend Donald Main and Reverend Andrew Krause will be officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday from 5 to 7, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m at the Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris, Minnesota and one hour prior to services at the church on Friday. Burial will be at the Trinity Church Cemetery, Johnson.

There will be a live stream of Wilfried's service starting at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 28th. To view the service on the Pedersen Funeral Home website, scroll to the bottom of Wilfried's page and click the link.

While maintaining social distancing guidelines, we are now able to accommodate gatherings of up to 250 people. The use of face masks by attendees is required, and we will continue taking the necessary steps to keep our facility clean. For those who prefer or require continued precautions, webcasting and/or livestreaming is available in most situations.

Wilfried Martin Meers was born on August 26, 1928 to Martin Henry and Gesche (Jessie) Gesine Dorothea (von Aswege) Meers in Graceville, Minnesota. He was baptized at Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church near Johnson, Minnesota in 1928. The 3rd of 4 children, and only son, Wilfried and his sisters lived in Johnson until 1932, when his parents purchased the farm site in rural Chokio. He attended his first six years of school at District 46, rural Chokio, and concluded his elementary education at Trinity Lutheran School in Johnson. Wilfried was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in 1942. He completed his secondary education at WCSA (West Central School of Ag) in Morris, Minnesota.

As an only son, Wilfried was introduced to farming at a very young age, and ended up running the farm at age 14, when his dad suffered a debilitating farming accident. After Ag School, he met a beautiful young lady name Dorismae Schliep at the roller-skating rink at Sioux Historic Pavilion near Ortonville, Minnesota and they were united in marriage on March 21, 1953 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ortonville. The couple lived in Morris for a year until Wilfried’s parents retired to Johnson and the couple moved to the farm homesite. Wilfried and Dorismae farmed, milked dairy cows, raised hogs, chickens and ducks. In 1966, the family temporarily moved to Granite Falls, Minnesota, where Wilfried apprenticed at a cabinet shop for 3 years. They returned to the farm in the fall of 1969, in addition to farming, the couple started their own cabinet making business, “Meers Millwork”. Working side by side for many years, Wilfried built the cabinets and Dorismae stained and varnished them. As at everything in life, Wilfried and Dorismae made a great team!

Faith and family were very important to Wilfried and Dorismae, they hosted many family gatherings at the farm and attended as many of their grandchildren’s activities as possible. Wilfried and Dorismae also took care of all four of their parents as they aged and needed assistance with their healthcare. They were lifelong members of Trinity Lutheran Church near Johnson; where Wilfried served on the school board, as well as the treasurer, elder, trustee, and secretary for the church. Wilfried was a long-time member of the FHA Board. He enjoyed bowling, building cabinets, square dancing, playing cards, and traveling. During his time in Granite Falls, Wilfried also took flying lessons and obtained his pilot’s license.

Wilfried was a perfectionist in everything he did in life. The quality of his cabinets and furniture was second to none. His reputation as a skilled woodworker brought him continual business, so much he didn’t even have to advertise the millwork after just two years in operation. Wilfried’s first love was farming, and he continued to live on the homestead for many years, putting an addition onto the farmhouse in 2009. Due to a fall in December of 2017, Dorismae entered the West Wind Village, in Morris. Wilfried moved into Skyview Assisted Living in Morris to be by Dorismae’s side every waking moment through all her health issues. In November of 2018, the couple moved into New Perspectives Living Center in West Fargo, North Dakota. Dorismae passed away on February 22, 2019.

Wilfried died of a brain hemorrhage on Sunday, August 23, 2020 at the Sanford Hospice House in Fargo, just three days shy of his 92nd birthday.

He is survived by his son, Bradley (Nancy) Meers, Fargo, ND; daughter, Robin (Randy) Schrupp, Pierre, SD; a daughter-in-law, Charlene Meers, Clitherall, MN; eight grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren. Wilfried was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Dorismae, his oldest son, Gregory, grandson, Jordan Schrupp, his parents, and three sisters and brothers-in-law: Ruth (Maurice) Barklage, Lois (John) Keeler, and Jean (Herbert) Vogt.

One of the hallmarks of Wilfried and Dorismae’s marriage was the joy and happiness they found in each other. They were as close as a couple could be, and everyone who knew them admired their relationship and their family values. Wilfried and Dorismae were always holding hands, no matter where they were going… in the mall, at the fair, in church, or walking across the yard. Their example of love and respect for each other will live on in the memories of family and friends forever. They have once again been reunited in heaven, and are no doubt, holding hands once again.

Pedersen Funeral Home is in charge of the funeral arrangements. An online guest book can be signed at www.pedersenfh.com.