Mervin S. Teigen, 97, of Bowman, ND, formerly of Gascoyne, ND, passed away on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at the Southwest Healthcare Long Term Center in Bowman.

Funeral Services of Mervin will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 11, 2018 at the Peace Lutheran Church in Scranton, ND. Pastor Mary Wiggins will officiate with burial to follow in the Gascoyne Cemetery. There will be a Family and Friends Service on Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at the Krebsbach and Kulseth Funeral Home Chapel beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Mervin was born on March 2, 1921 in Reeder, ND the son of the late Sever and Myrtle (Hofland) Teigen and was raised on the family farm northwest of Reeder.

He graduated in 1939 from Reeder High School. Following graduation he worked for Farmers Union Oil Company in Reeder, then enlisted in the U.S. Navy, is a veteran of World War II and at the time of his death the oldest living member of the Scranton American Legion. Upon his return from serving the country, he worked at Tasty Bread Bakery in Minneapolis, MN and eventually returned to North Dakota working at the Gascoyne Lumber Company. Flying his own airplane became a passion, and the skill later became beneficial beyond just a hobby.

December 25, 1950, he married Phyllis Cady in an intimate ceremony at the home of the Gascoyne Lutheran minister, Rev. F.A.J. Meyer. They shared 52 years of married life and raised their two sons in Gascoyne. A wonderful marriage enabled them to work together side-by-side as independent insurance agents until they retired in 1986. Not only did Mervin provide insurance expertise to many Adams and Bowman County citizens, he took great joy in also serving as a long-time mail carrier for the Reeder area and on occasion dropped the mail from his Cessna airplane.

Traveling the United States and Canada in their motor home, consumed the years that followed a life-long commitment to Bowman County, and the communities of Scranton and Gascoyne. He served in various capacities ranging from Mayor of Gascoyne, Scranton Businessman's Association, Lions Club, member of the Bowman County Social Service Board and Bowman County Zoning Board. He was active in the Lutheran Church, life-time member of the Elks, Scranton American Legion, and most civic organizations where he volunteered his time and talent for the betterment of the area.

Once his health prevented him from being "behind the wheel" of the motor home he spent the past several years between Wisconsin, Minnesota and returned to his roots in Bowman County. He will be remembered by those he knew as a kind, soft-spoken gentleman who had a deep love of his family.

He is survived by two sons; Ross (Bobbe) Teigen, Bowman, ND/Florence, AZ and Rory (Sherri) Teigen, Amidon, ND; grandchildren Seth (Nicole) Teigen, Milwaukee, WI, Skyler (Lesley) Teigen, St. Paul, MN, Shane (Lindsay) Teigen, Dickinson, ND, Josh (Alfanique) Teigen, Gladstone, ND, Jory Teigen, San Bernadino, CA, Jasmin Teigen, Dickinson, ND, Tasha (Danny) Heinrich, Bowman, ND and Michael Lee, Mandan, ND; ten great grandsons and three great grand-daughters—Deacon and Graham Teigen, Huck Teigen, Jackson, Kasen, Austyn, Riley and Shelby Teigen, Jaceten, Joslen and Jaxden Teigen, Sawyer and Zoey Heinrich; numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Phyllis, brothers Floyd and Eldo Teigen, sisters Sadie Pecinovsky, Joyce Torpen and infant twin sisters, brother-in-law Atwood Cady and all of their spouses, and grandson Justin Lee.

A military service of Christian burial will be held at Peace Lutheran Church, Scranton, ND on Wednesday, April 11 at 11 a.m., with internment at the Gascoyne Cemetery. The family suggests donations be made to Gascoyne Cemetery.

Krebsbach and Kulseth Funeral Services in charge of the arrangements.