MERFELD, Leo

MERFELD, ANDERSON, BRIGGS

Posted By: Marilyn O'Connor (email)
Date: 8/18/2011 at 13:07:20

From a scrap book

Former Dougherty resident
dies in sleep

Merilynne Anderson is back home again in Rockford, after having traveled to Sacramento, California, to attend the funeral of her father, Leo Merfeld.

The 82 year old Mr. Merfeld was sitll working as a waiter at the time of his death. He'd been at the Golden Tee Resturant in Sacremento for the past 30 years-a smiling, tuxedo-bedecked figure, with napkin draped arm, whose love of people and his work made him a popular fixture at the popular eatery.

He was always early for work, so his unexplained absence that Sunday afternoon concerned his co-workers. They used the services of 911 to enter his residence, finding that he had apparently died in his sleep.

Merilynn says that back in October her father was honored as being the oldest waiter in Sacramento, and she treasures the video that was made of him at that time.

On the day of his funeral, the Sacramento Bee newspaper carried a feature article about Mr. Merfeld, speaking highly of the popular, upbeat waiter-with-a -smile.

Leo Merfeld was a native of rural Dougherty, one of 11 children. After farming some years in Iowa, in 1940 he moved to Sacramento, where he began his lifelong love affair with waitering and people.

Mr. Merfeld was married to Irene Briggs, formerly of Rockford, who preceded him in death.