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David Haakenson, age 40, Marion, ND, loving father, son, brother, and husband, was taken too soon from his earthly family on March 23, 2013.

Merl was born May 21, 1972 at Jamestown, ND, to Ramona and James Haakenson of Dickey, ND. He grew up in Dickey, raised by his loving parents, two brothers, and one sister, as well as under the watchful eye of his “Dickey Village” family.

Merl graduated from Marion High School, Marion, ND, in 1991. Merl’s passion throughout his school days was playing basketball. Merl attended NDSCS in Wahpeton, ND, where he graduated with a degree in Manufacturing Technologies.

He was married on July 24, 1992 to Angela McCleary in Marion. They lived in many different places, including Oakes, Gwinner, and Stirum, before settling with his wife and three children on a farm near Marion.

Merl was employed by Kustom Machine of Oakes, Ray-Mac, Inc. of Gwinner, and owned Valley Machining, Inc. in Lisbon. When he moved with his family to Marion, he owned and operated Merl’s Machine Shop on the family farm.

Merl enjoyed many hobbies, which included hunting, fishing, coin collecting, metal detecting, reading and attending his children’s many activities.

Merl is survived by his wife, Angela; son, Nicholas; daughter, Samantha; son, Hunter; parents, Ramona and James Haakenson; two brothers, Bret (Angela) Haakenson, Dickey, and Wade Haakenson, Rock Springs, WY; and one sister, Jody (Mike) Haseleu, Tower City, ND.

Merl was preceded in death by his grandparents, Merrel and Josephine Haakenson, and David and Helen Anderson.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 27, 2013 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service starting at 7:00 p.m. at the Marion Lutheran Church, Marion, ND. His funeral will be Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at the Litchville-Marion High School in Marion. Burial will be at the Dickey Cemetery.

An on-line guestbook may be signed at www.dahlstromfuneralhome.com