Merle D. Jurgensen, 79, Great Bend, died Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, at Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center.

He was born Nov. 17, 1933, in Great Bend to Ed and Lena (Katzmaier) Jurgensen.

He married Almeda Herl on May 5, 1953, in Great Bend. He worked in construction for Lindholm Construction, Jurgensen Construction and for C.V. Cale.

He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.

He participated in fast pitch softball, playing for the U.S. Army fast pitch team while stationed in Japan.

Survivors include his wife, of the home; three sons, Eddie Jay Jurgensen and wife, Cindy, Great Bend, Bradley Dean Jurgensen and significant other, Lisa Garland, Leavenworth, and Brett Lane Jurgensen and wife, Pricella "Zoe", Victorville, Calif.; 11 grandchildren, Brandi Scheck, Chelsea Hartshorn, Kyla Jurgensen, Katelyn Jurgensen, Andrew Jurgensen, Drew Jurgensen, Hannah Jurgensen, Hayley Jurgensen, Tara Jurgensen, Cody Jurgensen and Sherri Basgall; and four great-grandchildren, Korbin Scheck, Conner Scheck, Parker Scheck and Piper Scheck.

He was preceded in death by four brothers, Edward Jurgensen, Donald Jurgensen, Leonard Jurgensen and Morris Jurgensen; and four sisters, Edna Orebaugh, Alverna Holopirek, Loretta Jurgensen and Lois Jurgensen.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Bryant Funeral Home, Great Bend; burial in Great Bend Cemetery North, Great Bend, with military rites by Fort Riley Honor Guard.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, with the family receiving friends from 7 to 8 p.m. at Bryant Funeral Home, Great Bend.

Memorials are suggested to Alzheimer's Association or Harden Hospice or American Cancer Society, in care of the funeral home.

Condolences can be sent to the family at www.bryantfh.net.