Merton Lloyd Scripture

Merton Scripture, 79, of Bemidji, MN, died Saturday, January 14, 2023 at GoldPine Home, Bemidji.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m., Friday, January 20, 2023 at the Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home in Bemidji.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

Merton Lloyd Scripture, "Mert", was born in Owatonna to Amy (nee Vavrichek) and Howard Scripture on February 27, 1943. He grew up on the family farm near Dodge Center, MN and graduated from Dodge Center High School in 1961.  He met his wife Kay Geise on a blind date and they were married on February 12,1966. They were blessed with two children, Jeffrey and Jennifer. Mert attended the University of Minnesota and later Bemidji State University and received both Bachelors and Masters degrees. He worked as a Chemical Dependency Counselor and later opened his own treatment program - Lakes Region Chemical Dependency. His work was very rewarding, but he was still a farmer at heart, so he bought land!  He loved driving the tractor, milking the cows and being a good farm neighbor. He also loved his time spent fishing and hunting with family and friends.

Mert is survived by his wife Kay, son Jeffrey (Angie), daughter Jennifer (Jason) Meyer.  Five grandchildren, Bri (Jordan) Heller, Brittney (Ethan) Apel. Brooke Scripture, Erin Meyer, and Nicholas Meyer. Great grandchildren Carter and Kenley Heller and Maverick and Laiken Apel. Sisters Debora (Jim)Wilson and Laurie Scripture. Brother-in-law Kraig (Anne) Geise. Mert was preceded in death by his parents, Amy and Howard Scripture, sister Connie Schuster, and brother Thomas Scripture.

Memorials may be made in his name to Northwoods Battered Women's Shelter or Face it Together