Mervin Vatland

Mervin A. Vatland, age 82 of Wautoma, formerly of Appleton passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 1, 2017 surrounded by his family. He was born on July 24, 1934 in Mabel, MN to Alvin and Martha (Haugland) Vatland. Mervin graduated from Mabel High School and then DeVry Technical Institute. In August of 1955 he married Evelyn Nordheim in Decorah, IA. Mervin then started his own electronics store in the late 1950’s in Canton, MN. The couple then moved to Appleton where in 1966 he opened Team Electronics which later became Sound World. In 1984 Mervin moved to Wautoma to enjoy retirement on Lake Alpine. He enjoyed GMC Motor Home rallies, ham radio, electronics, fishing, pontoon rides and editing and producing family videos. Mervin was an active member of Mt. Morris Holden Church. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.

Mervin is survived by his wife: Evelyn Vatland; three sons: Larry (Theresa) Vatland, Hortonville, David (Susan) Vatland, Appleton, Danny (Brenda) Vatland, Chanhassen, MN; eight grandchildren: Amanda (Tyler) Thomack, Anna Marie (Benjamin) Burish, Christina (Paul) Van Eyck, Beth (Jeremy) Nettekoven, Katie (David) Lardinois, Cody (Leah) Vatland, Nicole Vatland, Caitlin Vatland; four great grandchildren: Carter and Caylee Nettekoven, Jack Thomack, Christopher Burish; brother: Harlan (Gloria) Vatland, Bonita Springs, FL; sister: Beverly Sears, Charles City, IA; brothers and sisters-in-law: Merton Fairchild, Canton, MN, Phyllis and Jim Nesteby, Decorah, IA, Ellen and Bud Aasum, Mabel, MN, Ruth Stortz, Decorah, IA, Kenneth and Gloria Nordheim, Decorah, IA, Robert and Doris Nordheim, Menasha, WI, Ardith and Dean Nierling, Decorah, IA; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law: William Sears; father and mother-in-law: Wallace and Ulah Nordheim; sister-in-law: Shirley Fairchild and brother-in-law: Jerry Stortz.

Memorial services will be held at 11AM on Saturday, July 8, 2017 at Mt. Morris Holden Lutheran Church, Wautoma. Officiating at the service will be Pastor Barb Girod. The family will greet relatives and friends from 5PM-7PM on Friday, July 7, 2017 at Leikness Funeral Home, Wautoma and again on Saturday at church from 9:30AM until the time of services at 11AM. www.wautomafuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Mervin’s name to Southern Care Hospice, Alzheimer’s Association, or the American Cancer Society.

The family wishes to express a heartfelt thank you to the staff of Southern Care Hospice for the compassionate care giving to Mervin.