Merrlyn Gudim Seefeldt was born on August 21, 1938 in Maquoketa, Iowa to Victor and Edna Gudim. Merrlyn went to be with Jesus on June 5, 2024 at her home in Monticello, Minnesota surrounded by the family she loved. Merrlyn moved several times during her childhood across the Upper Midwest with her ending up in Fifield, Wisconsin, where she graduated from high school in 1956. Merrlyn attended Valparaiso University (Indiana) and graduated from their Deaconess program in 1960. It was at Valpo that Merrlyn met the editor of the yearbook, William (Bill) Seefeldt, who was looking for an assistant. Thus started the dynamic duo team that we have all known and loved for over 62 years.
Bill and Merrlyn were married in Park Falls, Wisconsin, on June 30, 1962. They have four children: Brenda, Krista, John, and Mark. In 1974, the Seefeldt family moved to Monticello, where they have lived since.
Merrlyn lived a life full of faith and family. Merrlyn loved her family with all her heart and shared her love in a variety of family activities including the annual Christmas hearts tournament, fantasy football league, and NCAA bracket challenge. There is nothing Bill and Merrlyn did without the other. They have had a lifelong passion for ministries at the local, national, and international levels. Some of the many ministries that Merrlyn led and contributed to include Bible studies, prayer meetings, Alpha, congregational care, and most recently global missions with an emphasis on Tanzania. Her example of steadfast prayer and a caring heart will be her legacy.
Bill and Merrlyn formed Electro Industries Inc. in Monticello in 1974 with a focus on manufacturing for the electric heat management market.
Merrlyn is notoriously known around Monticello for riding behind Bill on their white trike, a three-wheeled motorcycle. Bill and Merrlyn have traveled with their trike across the country visiting countless states, national parks, canyons, and mountain passes.
Merrlyn is preceded in death by her parents, Victor and Edna Gudim; and son-in-law, Jon Smith. She is survived by her husband, William (Bill) Seefeldt; their four children, Brenda Seefeldt Amodea (John), Krista Smith-Larson (Loren), John Seefeldt (Karin), and Mark Seefeldt; their grandchildren, Brittany Lindahl (Stefan), Tyler Zillmer (Amy), Ella Wilkes (Brian), Isaac Smith (Beth), Nathan Seefeldt (Anna) Megan Seefeldt, Loren Dale Larson (T’Sheal), Alex Larson (Stefani), Morgan Ritter (Jake), Jamon Brown, Curt Johnson (Rachel), Terrill Weathers, and Kenneth Wilson; siblings, Betty Gudim, William Gudim (Annette), and Jerry Gudim (Karen) along with special nieces, nephews, and numerous great-grandchildren, whom she loved dearly and brought so much joy into her life during her later years.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations go to Merrlyn's passion, the Bridgeview Church's Global Mission Fund. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m., with sharing of memories at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 17, 2024 at the Peterson-Grimsmo Funeral Chapel, 250 E. Broadway Street, Monticello, MN. Her funeral service will take place at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 with visitation from 2-4 p.m. at Bridgeview Church, 20500 County Road 11, Big Lake, MN. Interment to follow at Riverside Cemetery, Monticello, MN. The family will return to church after the interment to share a meal and fellowship. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Peterson-Grimsmo Funeral Chapel ~ Monticello.
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