Merle R. Kaasa

Merle R. Kaasa, age 54, went to join his parents as a result of a farming accident on Wednesday, August 14th, 2019.

Merle Richard Kaasa was born to Osbourne “Ozzy” & Joy Kaasa on January 19, 1965 in Malta, Mont. Merle grew up in Dodson, working on the family farm and graduating from Dodson High School in 1983. He loved playing basketball in high school. His mother Joy kept a large scrapbook of his basketball games. Merle touted himself an “OK ballplayer" that was “kinda big and slow”. To his mom, he was a talented player as she tallied and archived his games statistics over the years – including fouls. His Dodson Coyote Team saw much success his senior year. Merle had a very close relationship with both parents. Ozzy was glad to have his son by his side until his death in 1997. He worked on the family farm until it was sold.

Merle married Jacki Berrisford in 2001. They welcomed sons, Dalton and Charlie and operated Jake’s Bar in Saco until they later divorced.

Merle worked for Wes Whitaker, Tom Boschee, and Gary Anderson throughout the years. In 2012, Merle went to work for Galen Zerbe at Zerbe Farms. He and the boys moved up to the Pearson Place at Richland.

According to Dalton, Merle loved it when harvest and seeding were done and he could get to hauling grain in the Maroon Kenworth truck that he drove for Zerbes. It was his baby. He hated it when Daryl would drive his truck and “tear it up." Merle’s favorite car was a 1967 GTO. It was his dream car. He had been looking for one and almost had one found last year. Merle loved playing pool league, darts, and palling around with his buddies from Malta and Dodson area during his years in Phillips County.

Merle was known for being a hard worker, never asked for much of anything and appreciated anything given to him. Things didn’t matter to Merle – people did. To him, your handshake meant more than your checkbook. Merle valued the friendships he developed over the years like that with Galen, Daryl, and John.

Merle’s world revolved around his boys, Dalton (17) & Charlie (11). He enjoyed going to their basketball games, their “guy” trips to Havre, and just spending time together at home.

Merle is preceded in death by his parents, Ozzy & Joy; and half-siblings, Charlie Kaasa (Ozzy) and Christine Kaasa (Ozzy).

He is survived by sons, Dalton Kaasa & Charles “Charlie” Kaasa of Richland; half-brother, Alan “Butch” Fleming (Joy) of Wisconsin, half-sister Lynn Fleming (Joy) of Kalispell; uncle, Art Kaasa of Bowdoin; aunt, Mary Jane Ketchum of Hinsdale; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins- including Dale Kaasa of Malta and Duane (Wanda) Berrisford of Hinsdale; and many lifetime friends. Merle Kaasa will forever be missed and his legacy will live on through his boys whom he cherished.

Merle’s family received friends from on Monday, August 19 at the Bell Mortuary in Glasgow. His Funeral Service was on Tuesday, August 20- also at the Bell Mortuary. A luncheon follow edthe service. Merle will be buried next to his mother, Joy, in the Dodson Cemetery at 3 p.m.