Merle Meyer

Merle Ronald Meyer, age 78, Detroit Lakes, MN passed away at Oak Crossing in Detroit Lakes, MN, on Friday, April 13, 2018.

Merle Meyer died, unironically, on Friday the 13th of April. He was 78 years old. Merle was a sportsman, gardener, entrepreneur, chef, pun-ster and a lover of fishing, Martinis, goats, and beautiful women. Not necessarily in that order.

Merle was born January 8, 1940 in Chebanse, Illinois where he farmed with his father until 1961. In 1960, Merle married Judy Meyer (Hampton) and together they raised four children. He also raised hell for more than seven decades in many locations - Illinois, Florida, Delaware, Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, and most frequently the Detroit Lakes area.

Merle was best known as the “host with the most” at The Cormorant Inn, the resort/bar/restaurant that he owned and operated that brought his family from Arlington, VA to the lakes country.  At Cormorant Inn, in Audubon, MN, Merle hosted vacationing families, the Arctic Open ice golf tournament, late-night laughter, and pig-roasts galore. Later, he founded the newspaper the “Sportsman’s News” and an independent innkeeping company. His gift of gourmet and gab were finely matched as he hosted at Bed-and-Breakfasts across the globe.

After accidentally “playing chicken” with a semi in 2011, the “host with the most” also became a host to a potpourri of ailments, but even when he became a “one-legged wonder,” his spirit was undaunted. He wheeled himself through the streets of Detroit Lakes, onto beautiful garden plots, and into the hearts of many residents who he shared coffee and conversation with. . . along with his political views. . .whether you wanted to hear them or not.

His spirit lives on in his children Jill Mohn (Kevin), Rebecca Meyer-Larson (Paul), Elizabeth Huesman (Brian), and Rachel Lerum (Chris), his grandchildren Angela Olson (Brandon), Ashley Mohn (Kris Wilson), Amy Drewes (Tyler), Sadie Langemo, Izzy Larson, Finn Larson, Jacob Huesman, Joshua Huesman, Brianne Huesman, Joley Lerum, and Sydney Lerum; and his great-grandchildren Molly Olson, Hailey Drewes, Evie Drewes, and Hudson Drewes.

Merle also lives on in his Beer Cheese Soup recipe. Sadly, he took the Cormorant Inn All-You-Can-Eat Chicken recipe with him to the grave.

There will be a celebration of life at The Cormorant Lakes Sportsman’s Club, an organization he founded and a membership he cherished, on June 24th from 4:00-8:00pm. The community is invited to his last pig-roast to share a story, enjoy a cocktail, and toast to Merle’s larger-than-life presence.

Memorials may be made to The Cormorant Lakes Sportsman’s Club (PO Box 252 Audubon, MN 56511) or your local watering hole, CHEERS!

In honor of Merle, the family asks that businesses remember to shovel their sidewalks - because a building isn’t handicapped accessible if the entryway is covered in ice and snow. Let’s vow to make life a little easier for other “one-legged wonders” in the lake’s area.