Merle Bygness

Merle Donovan ("Don") Bygness passed away at age 90 on Dec. 28, 2012, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd, Minn., following a brief hospitalization for bilateral pneumonia.
Don was a proud WWII (USN) veteran (1942-1946), born in Lake Township, Humboldt County, Iowa in 1922; graduate of Waldorf and St. Olaf colleges; dedicated teacher and school administrator in Renwick and New Hampton, Iowa; popular and award-winning agent and manager for Farm Bureau Insurance Co. in Humboldt, Sac, and Emmet counties, Iowa.
Don and Arlene were actively retired in Northern Minnesota and Phoenix, Ariz., for 27 years.
Preceded in death by parents, Oley and Stella, and brother, Russell. Survived by Arlene (Valen), his wife of 64 years, sons Ron (Janie), Rich, daughter, Ruth (Ron), and multitudes of friends from Iowa, Minnesota, Arizona, and numerous ports in-between.
Memorial service Monday, Dec. 31, 10:30 a.m., at First Lutheran Church in Pine River, Minn. Family and friends are welcome to gather one hour prior to services. Interment with Military Honors at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Camp Ripley, Minn. Memorials preferred to St. Joseph's Medical Center Foundation (Brainerd, Minn.).