Merlin Benjamin Gasser, 91, of DeForest, WI passed away on Wednesday September 22, 2010 at Waunakee Manor Nursing Home in Waunakee, WI. Services will be 11 am on Tuesday September 28, 2010 at the Windsor United Church of Christ, Windsor, WI, with burial in the Windsor Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 pm to 8 pm on Monday September 27, 2010 at the Windsor United Church of Christ and on Tuesday from 9:30am till time of service at the church. The Haudenshield Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cuba City, WI is serving the family.

Merlin was born on August 7, 1919 in Town of Sumpter WI to Benjamin and Barbara (Von Wald) Gasser. He graduated from Prairie du Sac High School and went to the University of Wisconsin Short-Course in Madison, WI. After graduation, he was a Milk Tester in the Sauk County area and helped his parents with their farm; until the Badger Ordinance purchased their farm and moved the Gasser family to the rural DeForest area in 1941. He then met his future wife, Ellen Waugh of Poynette, WI at a New Year's Eve Dance. They married on August 3, 1946 at the Inch Methodist Church in Poynette, WI. They raised four daughters and took over the family dairy farm in 1952, raised chickens and sold the eggs to Renebohm Drug Stores in Madison. He was an avid old car buff, restoring over 20 Model T and Model A cars and trucks and also a 58 Chevy Del Ray. Merlin loved his cars, traveling to the top of Pike's Peak, and running the National Model T Tour in Madison in June of 1989. He was a Charter Member of the Badger Steam and Gas Engine Club of Baraboo, WI, a member of the National Model T and Model A Clubs of America, the American Legion Band of Sun Prairie, Town Board of Windsor, and sang in the choir at Windsor United Church of Christ since 1951.

A fire destroyed the dairy barn in 1967. Merlin decided not to rebuild and sold off the dairy herd. He continued to farm the land until he was 70. During this time he worked his days "off the farm". First working for Mautz Paint, then trying his hand at Real Estate before returning to his love of animals and working at the UW Farms for 16 years, retiring in 1989. One of the things Merlin loved was on Sunday's after church, the family would embark on the good old fashion "Sunday Drive" when the girls were all still young. He was notorious for finding every single detour around and every new road. The girls lovingly referred to him as "Myrtle the Turtle" and "Detour Merlin". Another Sunday treat would be after church, to drive into Madison and stop at McDonald's to pick up some lunch and then picnic along the Yahara River at Jennifer Street. When the girls could get away with it, the ducks managed to enjoy most of the french fries. Merlin loved farming, traveling, fishing, bowling, auctions/swap meets, practical jokes, reading, photographer of all family events and time spent taking his grandchildren for rides in the old cars. Merlin strongly believed in "giving the gift of life" by regularly donating blood through the American Red Cross, donating over 20 gallons of blood during his lifetime. Life was always a lesson to be learned, shared and passed along. Life was an adventure, there was always something new to learn through reading and living life and following the Golden Rule. He took great pride in watching his children grow and take wind in lives of their own. He truly loved being a grandfather. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Surviving Merlin is his wife of 64 years, Ellen; four daughters: Mariellen Gasser of Windsor, Janet (Richard) Krueger of Hazel Green, WI, Lorraine (Robert) Newlun of Windsor, WI and Audrey (Mitch) Weger of Madison, WI; four grandchildren; Lynne (David) Rokusek, Jillian Krueger, Hayley and Ryan Elbe, two great-grandsons, Mason and Wyatt Rokusek ;three step-grandsons: Rob (Anna) Newlun, Trevor and Brent Weger and two great-step grandchildren, Griffin and Jessica Newlun; sister-in-laws, Golda (Ken) Anderson and Mary Waugh and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Maureen Giegerich; brother-in-law, Lorin Giegerich; nephew, James Giegerich and in-laws, John and Rosa Waugh.

In lieu of flowers a Merlin B. Gasser Memorial Fund has been established.