Katherine Merrill

Katherine Ann Merrill

Katherine Ann Merrill, 91, Minneapolis, formerly of Hibbing, died Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, at Benedictine Health Center at Innsbruck in New Brighton.  She was born in Hibbing on Oct. 3, 1924, to Croatian immigrants John and Milicia (Lolich) Bann, the eldest of four.  Katherine grew up in Carson Lake and Leetonia, and graduated near the top of her class from Hibbing High School in 1942.  After high school, she worked at Erickson Lumber in Hibbing and later, during World War II, she worked on the west coast building aircraft for the war effort.  Katherine and James Merrill were united in marriage on April 23, 1949, and they made their home in Hibbing.  Katherine and Jim were owner/operators of Northland Automotive in Hibbing and members of First Presbyterian Church in Hibbing.  When her children were young, she was active in PTA and cub scouts.  She always put family first and was proud of her Croatian heritage.

She is survived by two sons:  Ronald (Debbie) Merrill of Fort Worth, TX, and Douglas (Lori) Merrill of New Brighton, MN; a brother, Ludwig Bann, of Fridley, MN; five grandchildren:  Kelly (Clint) Calvert, Brianna (Andrew) Cook, Andrew Merrill, Libby Merrill, and Megan (Don) Brown; six great-grandchildren:  Rachel and Alice Calvert, Mackenna and Paxton Cook, and Noah and Kellen Brown; and by 8 nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband; by her parents; by brothers Peter and Stan Bann; and by a grandson, Michael Merrill.

Visitation will be Thursday, September 15, 2016, at Dougherty Funeral Home, Hibbing, from 10 AM until the 11 AM funeral service.  Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery, Hibbing.  To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.doughertyofhibbing.com .