Merlyn Deloyd "Bud" Witty, 86, Minot and longtime Larson, ND area farmer died on Thursday, December 15, 2016 in a Fargo retirement home.

Merlyn was born on June 23, 1930 on the family farm near Larson, ND to Clarence and Minnie (Carlson) Witty. He was reared and educated in the Larson, Noonan and Fort Peck, MT areas. Following his education, he assisted on the family farm and also worked on farms and ranches in Montana for three years. He enlisted in the United States Army on October 16, 1951. During his military enlistment, he earned his G.E.D. and also attended mechanical school. He attained the rank of a Corporal and was honorably discharged on October 8, 1953. Following his discharge, he returned to North Dakota and began farming near Larson and was employed for a short time at the Baukol-Noonan Mine.

Merlyn married Myrna Henricks on August 11, 1961 in Minot. They made their home on a farm near Larson. He retired from farming in 1992 and they moved to Minot in 1995. He and his wife Myrna moved to Fargo in June 2013 to be closer to their children.

Merlyn was a member of Vincent Methodist Church in Minot and a former member of Zion Lutheran Church near Noonan. He was a member of the American Legion, Moose Lodge and Eagles Aerie all in Minot. Merlyn was also a member of the Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association of North Dakota, Frozen Fingers Music Association Board and Norsk Hostfest Accordion Club. In May of 2008 Bud was inducted into the Dakota Music Hall of Fame.

Merlyn grew up with a lot of music in his home from a very young age. Merlyn was a talented musician and played for many years in several bands including The Sapphire Melody Boys, The Alkan Highway Boys, The Blue Blades, The Dakota Play Boys and he and Jim Mosser played together on and off for over 40 years as Jim and Bud. After his retirement, he began playing with The Dakota Valley Boys, Karen and Fond Memories and the J-M-B Band with whom he proudly made several CD's. He always had a smile on his face especially when he had a guitar in his hands.

Merlyn's loving family includes: his wife Myrna of Fargo; children: Julie (Mike) Severson of West Fargo and Sheldon Witty of West Fargo; sisters: Adelle Wissbrod of Noonan, Darlene (Stanley) Diesch of St. Paul and Darla Dillabough of Great Falls, MT; brothers-in-law: Jerry (Carol) Henricks of Mohall, Robert (Edna) Belisle of Lansford and Richard (Linda) Belisle of Bismarck and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Merlyn was preceded in death by his parents and brother: Loren, 2 brother-in-laws: Charles Wissbrod and Robert Dillabough.

Celebration of the Life of Merlyn "Bud" Witty: Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at 10:30 in Vincent United Methodist Church - Minot.
Interment will be in the Spring at South St Olaf Cemetery - rural Larson.
Visitation: Tuesday from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.
Memorials are preferred to Alzheimer's Association.

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