August 22, 1918, Merle Jerome Rognrud was born in Jamestown, North Dakota, the first child to Isaac and Mary Rognrud. He lived in North Dakota until age 8, attending 1st and 2nd grades in Valley City, North Dakota.
The family traveled west in June of 1926 in a Model T Ford touring car, with his brother, Gordon, and sisters, Evelyn and Dorothy. Merle attended 3rd and 4th grade in Missoula before moving to Saint Ignatius and the Mission Valley. The family worked a farm sustaining them through the Great Depression and the “Hungry Thirties.” Merle graduated from Saint Ignatius High School in 1936, (a “Bulldog”) with a class of 12 students. The fall of 1936 Merle began school at the University of Montana, enrolling in the School of Forestry and graduating in 1942 (a “Griz!”), with degrees in Botany and Wildlife. Merle took fall semesters off to hunt in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. During his college summers he worked for the Forest Service as a Fire Fighter and began his employment with the Montana Department of Fish and Game in 1941.
Merle served in World War II with the Army Signal Corp June 1942 through December 1945 with campaigns in Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, Central Europe, and in the Liberation of the Philippines. He resumed his career with the Montana Department of Fish and Game in February 1946 serving to 1979 before retiring. While working for Fish and Game, he took a leave of absence to further his study of wildlife (Elk), completing a Master’s degree in Wildlife Management through Utah State University and the Nebo Elk herd 1951 through 1953. He resumed his career with Montana Fish and Game in 1953 serving as a Regional Wildlife Manager in Missoula until 1961, and in Great Falls until 1964. Beginning in 1964, he worked as the Assistant Chief of the Game Division in Helena to retirement in 1979. Merle spent the first half of his 33 years with MFWP on foot, horseback, snow skis, snowshoes, and jeeps identifying and documenting field study and survey of Montana lands and wildlife. He completed the 1st game bird survey in Montana, as presented in “Back from the Brink”, a video history of the Montana Fish and Game. Merle was a wildlife biologist, a game warden, a pilot, (Ford Tri-Motor and the Piper “Super Cub” were among his favorites) a Toast Master, Boy Scout-Scout Master (Troop 203) and a published author, (Game Management in Montana, and Alive in the Wild) in addition to numerous articles and publications. The Mission Mountains were his favorites and the view driving up Ravalli Hill to him was the best!
He married the Love of his life, (she winked at him), Josephine in April of 1955 and began his family with her children Gary and Roxie. Sons Gordon and Dean were soon to follow. He and Jo enjoyed retirement traveling most of the lower 48, visiting friends and family. Merle was an Outdoorsman, …avid hunter, fisherman, shooter (pistols/rifles) and camper.
He was preceded in death by his wife Josephine of 53 years; parents, Ike and Mary; brother, Gordon (Saipan 1944); sisters, Evelyn and Dorothy; great-granddaughter, Addie. He is survived by his children, Gary (Linda) Helena, MT, Roxie (Larry) Great Falls, MT, Gordon, Clancy, MT and Dean (Bobbi), Helena, MT. Grandchildren, Catherina, David (Jeanette), Travis, Dusty, Christopher (Tess), Ravyn, Robyn (Mike), Gina (DJ) and Great Grandchildren, Peyton, Trevor, Preston, Ava, Addie, “Little” Dean, and Christe.
A Liturgy of the Word will be celebrated at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, October 10, 2013 at Retz Funeral Home with a Rite of Committal immediately to follow at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery. A reception will follow the service at Touchmark, 915 Saddle Dr., Helena, MT. To offer condolences or to share a memory of Merle, please visit below.
Service Schedule
Funeral Liturgy
1:30 p.m.
Thursday October 10, 2013
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Avenue
Helena, MT 59601
Burial with Military Honors
Immediately following the service
Thursday October 10, 2013
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison , MT
Reception
Following the Burial
Thursday October 10, 2013
Touchmark
915 Saddle Drive
Helena , Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Funeral Liturgy
1:30 p.m.
Thursday October 10, 2013
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Avenue
Helena, MT 59601
Burial with Military Honors
Immediately following the service
Thursday October 10, 2013
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison , MT
Reception
Following the Burial
Thursday October 10, 2013
Touchmark
915 Saddle Drive
Helena , Montana 59601
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Dick Mayer says
Merle was a great guy to work with at the Fish and Game Department for many years. I enjoyed seeing him at Touchmark.
Joni & Bill McKiernan says
Our condolences to the family. Merle was always a smiling light at Fish & Game back in the days when we all worked together. He had a great and wonderful life, many memories for his family.
Harvey Nyberg says
Merle was a very fine gentleman. I met him early in my career at MFWP and he was a very gracious pioneer in our field to a young biologist just getting started. Whenever I saw Merle he was always smiling and very friendly. My thoughts go out to the family.
Randy Routzahn says
Gordon
I am sorry to hear about your father. Merle lived a life that most of us dream about. He is now hiking again all over the hills. You are in my Prayers.
Terry and Martha Lonner says
We had many pleasant, informative and entertaining conversations with Merle and his wife, Jo before and after his retirement. Merle was the De facto historian of the “Old” Montana Fish and Game Department. He was a very important source of information when we produced “Back from the Brink – Montana’s Wildlife Legacy”. He was the last of the real pioneers that laid down the foundation for Montana’s Fish and Game Department. We were so glad to have the privilege of associating with Merle and Jo during his career and retirement years. He left quite a legacy!! All the best to his family – you should be very proud of this gentlemen wildlife biologist. He set the bar high.
Glenn & Janet Erickson says
Merle was a great mentor for me(Glenn) at FWP. We shared many times together and I have great memories. As has already been stated before by others, Merle was a gentleman. He was always a joy to be around and had Montana’s Fish and Wildlife Resources at heart. He also was a strong supporter of sportsmen and their importance in the restoration of Montana’s wildlife. We will miss seeing Merle at the Helena mall and other locations around Helena. Merle was a wonderful friend and colleague.
Arnie Dood says
My sympathies to the family. It was always a pleasure to visit with Merle. I am very grateful for his friendship and all he did to make Montana a special place for people and wildlife.
Rita Krushensky says
Merle served with me as we volunteered for the Pastoral Core Care Team at St. Mary’s Catholic Community in the 1990’s. He was always ready and willing to step above and beyond to whatever needed attention. He was a “Gentle” gentleman. It has been my pleasure and blessing to serve alongside this wonderful friend.
My sympathies to the family.
Shirley Cole says
I knew Merle through Boy Scouts many years ago. He was a very special leader both at troop level and District level. He was a joy to work with and a joy to the young men he worked with. Rest in peace Merle, you have made us and God proud.
Dave Dreher says
All my adopted brothers and sisters, please know Heather and I are thinking of you and are with you in spirit.
Jo (Gilreath) and Paul Bryson says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you!!
Love and blessings