Merlin Stage, age 80 of Delhi, passed away Tuesday, July 31, 2018 at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park as a result of a heart attack.  Visitation will be 4:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, August 10 at the Redwood Valley Funeral Home followed by a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.  Burial will be at Grace Lutheran Cemetery in Belview at a later date.  Stephens Funeral Service – Redwood Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Merlin Harold Stage was born May 7, 1938 in Seaforth, Minnesota to Walter and Olga (Glassman) Stage.  He was born and raised in the Delhi area and attended schools in Redwood County until the 10th grade.  On December 13, 1955, he married Orien Amberg in Minneapolis.  He enjoyed being a father, grandfather and great grandfather.  After Merlin left high school he worked for Robert Star as a farmhand and then began his Plumbing Career with Bob Kissner Plumbing and Heating and ended his many working years in the Plumbing trade working for Jenniges Plumbing and Heating in Redwood Falls.  Merlin loved fishing and going to the lake, spending time in casinos, and talking to friends and family over a cold beer.   He had his daily stops in Echo, Belview and Redwood Falls to see and visit with friends at each location.

Merlin is survived by his children Terry (Cindy) Stage, Brenda (Rick) Johnson, and Vern (Sheila) Stage, all of Redwood Falls; grandchildren:  Jennifer (Jesse) Keehl, Jamie (Nate) Peterson, Melissa Prechel, Katie (Josh) Mages, Lindsey Stage (fiancée Nick Leach), Jordan (Heather) Cady, Nicki Vanderlinden (Hepi Robertson), Derek Vanderlinden (Jordan Ennega), Sheena (Clay) Rudenick, Tyler Stage (Brandy Schade), Stephanie and Kalley Stage; great grandchildren; Brady Keehl (fiancée Ashley Warner), Aubree and Ethen Keehl, Carter, Andrew, and Owen Peterson, Payton and Lexy Nelson, Maverick Mages, Fletcher and Berklee Leach, Aiden Cady, Nizhoni Schoen, Bryant and Ivis Robertson, Ayla and Nolan Rudenick.  He is survived by his sister Lavonne “Toots” Bongard of Manitou Beach, MI his sister-in-law Marlene Stage of Tacoma, WA, brother-in-law Milt Psihos of Alexandria, brother-in-law Henry “Butch” (Faythe) Amberg of Delhi, sister-in-law Pat (Harold) Read of Arizona, and sister-in-law Joleen Amberg of Redwood Falls; He was preceded in death by his sister Corrin Stage; parents Walter and Olga Stage; and brother-in-law Richard Bongard, brothers Jerry, DaWayne, and Orville Stage, his wife Orien Stage, sister-in-law Margaret Psihos and brother-in-law Tom Amberg.