Merle Halsrud was born on July 1, 1922, near Ottosen, Iowa,
to Laura and Olaf Halsrud. He was united in marriage
to Elma Smith on March 26, 1944 at the Rutland Methodist
Chruch. They celebrated 60 years of marriage in
March of 2004.
Merle has farmed most of his life
except for the two years while he was drafted into
the army. While in the war, Merle served most of
his time in Japan.
Merle has three children: Jimmie,
Gary and Judy. Jimmie and his wife, Cathy, farm
near Livermore, and Cathy also works at the Korner
Store in Livermore. Gary and his wife, Carole, live
near Rutland. Gary works at the County Shed in Rutland
and Carole works at Motel 8 in Humboldt. Judy and
her husband, Ken Hoodjer, live near Clarksville.
Judy works at the Butler County Abstract office
in Allison and Ken drives for a trucking service
out of Nashua.
Merle's hobbies include: going for
coffee with his friends in the mornings, helping
Jim with the crops, working in his flower garden,
and spending time with his ten grandchildren and
eight great-grandchildren, as well as going to the
Hundertmark sales.
"Hundertmark Auctions are
the best because I enjoy working with all of them
and trying to help all I can. I am called the "runner"
which most people at the sales call me. On the hottest
days I run with lemonade or iced tea for Dave and
Tom. In the winter I run with hot coffee. Dave and
Tom are the best auctioneers anyone can ask for
and they deal with all kinds of people and see that
people are satisfied with their sales," stated
Merle.