Merton Ray Hutchinson, 84, of Thief River Falls, MN, died on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at his residence.
Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, with a prayer service at 6:30 PM Monday, June 17, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, MN.
Funeral service will be 11:00 AM Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, MN.
Burial will be at EV German Cemetery, Middle River, MN.
On September 12, 1939, Mert was born as a twin with his brother, Marvin Jay, to Otto Clyde and Beatrice Leora (Kuehn) Hutchinson at Thief River Falls, MN. He attended school in Goodridge, MN, and after school he helped his father on the family farm. At 18, Mert did odd jobs in the region- farming and construction, and logging-before joining the Minnesota National Guard in 1962. On April 6, 1967, Mert was united in marriage to Juanita Marie Burrell in Sisseton, SD, living in Thief River Falls, MN. He started working with Maynard Wedul Trucking, where he hauled livestock to Fargo, ND, and St. Paul, MN. He brought home freight on his way home. In 1969, Mert bought the trucking business from Maynard; they named the business Thief River Trucking. On September 27, 1997, Juanita passed away peacefully at home.
In 2004, he sold Thief River Trucking to his son, Paul. Mert continued to drive truck on short hauls for various companies. His son, Paul, died on March 19, 2015. Mert began driving full time School Bus in 2011 and continue to drive until recently. During the Covid years, he worked with Thygeson Construction as an end dump driver until the present.
Mert had a hard work ethic, which he passed down to his children and grandchildren. He was a great storyteller, which could be a bit unfiltered- You never knew what was coming out of his mouth. Socializing, chatting with the waitresses, loved to flirt, and would always care for anyone. Over the years, Mert developed a strong attachment to all the bus kids. He taught his children to be financially responsible and developed a strong work ethic in all of them. Mert had a deep sense of responsibility for family, friends, community and country.
Mert is survived by children: Cindy (Scott) Brandon, Middle River, MN; Boni (Todd) Fossell, Karlstad, MN; Michele Hutchinson, Thief River Falls, MN; 16 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and one great-great son; siblings: Marvin (Eilene) Hutchinson, Thief River Falls, MN; James Hutchinson, Thief River Falls, MN; Virginia Wells, Goodridge, MN; and Lorraine Olson, Big Lake, MN; dear friend, Mary Bruggeman, Thief River Falls, MN; several cousins, nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Juanita, son, Paul Hutchinson, grandson, Cody Brandon, parents Clyde and Bea Hutchinson; grandson-in-law, Lars Sundberg, great-grandson Ethan Block, sister, Shirley Ann Russell, Stevenson, WA; several in-laws, cousins, and friends.
# Merton Hutchinson, #
Mert was one of a kind had the pleasure to meet him and get to know him back in the 90s and his son Paul also. What a guy hard working never slowed down and could talk your ear off god got a good one prayers to the family Rip Mert!!