OSAGE — Merlin Christensen, 86, passed away Sunday, September 27, 2026, at Mayo Clinic Health Services in Rochester, Minnesota, surrounded during his final days by his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Thursday, October 1, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 218 S. 12th St. in Osage. A memorial service will be held Friday, October 2, at 11:00 a.m. at the church. There will be no formal visitation Friday morning.
Born April 15, 1940, on a farm in Ruskin, Nebraska, Merlin was the son of Ansgar and Mabel Christensen. His family moved when he was young to a farm south of Riceville, where he developed a lifelong connection to agriculture, livestock and the land.
Merlin married Fay Dynes in 1961, and together they raised six children on their farm south of Riceville. Farming was more than an occupation for Merlin. The family remembers the farm as the place where he and Fay taught their children the value of hard work, integrity and an appreciation for agriculture.
Family remained at the center of Merlin’s life. He was immensely proud of his children and the families they built, and conversations with him frequently turned to what his children and grandchildren were doing. He made a point of attending their important events and milestones whenever possible.
Merlin also gave generously of his time to his community, agricultural cooperatives and local boards. Just two weeks before his death, he was inducted into the Riceville High School Hall of Fame as a “Friend of Agriculture.” Even while receiving that recognition, Merlin credited his family for making his accomplishments possible.
His commitment to agriculture and conservation stretched across the region, and his family has asked that memorial contributions be directed to them for future donations to the Osage Memorial Hospital Foundation, Mitchell County Conservation and Howard County Soil and Water Conservation.
Merlin is survived by his wife, Fay; their six children, Kelly (Audrey) Christensen, Kurt (Elizabeth) Christensen, Colleen (Kevin) Reber, Corwin (Dorene) Christensen, Casey (Heidi) Christensen and Craig (Jennifer) Christensen; 19 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by loved ones including his grandson Gabriel, who passed away August 15.
The family described Merlin’s final days as filled with the voices and presence of the people he loved most, a fitting conclusion to a life in which family remained his greatest source of pride.
Hoff Celebrations – Champion Chapel of Osage is assisting the family with arrangements. Additional information and an online guestbook are available through Hoff Celebrations.
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