Merwin John Lyng

 Merwin John Lyng, 92, died Sunday, September 8, 2024 at the Luther Memorial Home, Mayville, ND, under the care of Hospice.

 He was born June 3, 1932 in Lindaas Township, rural Mayville, N. D., to Oscar and Alice (Langlie) Lyng. After attending country schools in Mayville and Blanchard Townships, he graduated from Mayville High School and went on to earn a bachelor's degree from then-Mayville State Teachers College, a master’s degree from then-Colorado State College of Education, and the Ph.D from The Ohio State University. He did additional graduate work at the University of North Dakota, UCLA, Washington State University, the University of Minnesota, Humboldt (Calif.) State University and the University of Chicago.

 Merwin's professional career spanned 43 years, beginning as a mathematics teacher in Grafton, N. D. (1954-57), before he joined the faculty at Mayville State in 1958. After completing the Ph.D he was a full-time instructor at The Ohio State University before resuming his 40-year career at Mayville State University, where he was chairman of the Science, Mathematics and Computer Division for many years. He was especially proud of his collaboration with other MSU professors to develop and execute the highly successful Mathematics Specialist program which helped public school mathematics teachers in North Dakota and Minnesota earn master’s degrees.

He retired in 1998 and was awarded the title of Professor Emeritus of Mathematics. He was awarded Mayville State’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 1995 and MSU’s Distinguished Service Award in 1998. In 2021 the “Merwin and Myrna Lyng Garden of Comet Pride,” part of the Garden of Remembrance at Mayville State, was dedicated in honor of the Lyngs' long service to MSU and the community. He was a life member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the North Dakota Council of Teachers of Mathematics. He spoke at numerous local, state, regional, national and international mathematics conferences. His professional travel took him four-fifths of the way around the world, including three trips to China and three to the former Soviet Union. He was an author or co-author of numerous elementary, secondary and college mathematics textbooks as well as an inventor of teaching aids.

 His civic and community activities included membership and chairmanship on the Mayville Planning and Zoning Commission, the Mayville Park Board and numerous MSU committees. He was a member of Mayville Lutheran Church, where he taught Sunday school and served on the church council.

 He enjoyed international travel; working on clocks; searching out and refurbishing antiques and collectibles; working in his shop at “the ranch,” the Lyngs' farmstead retreat; following the Mayville State Comets and Ohio State University Buckeyes as well as grandchildrens' athletic and music activities; and spending time at the family cabin at Swan Lake in Minnesota. He was an Air Force veteran and a member of the American Legion. Merwin was known and appreciated as an excellent mathematics teacher and promoter of the profession, as a kind friend and colleague, for his wit, and for his critical-thinking skills and ability to tackle and solve problems.

 On Sept. 12, 1964 Merwin married Myrna Carol Dalzell from Walhalla, N. D. To this marriage was born Karen, a chemist; Kathy, a physical therapist; and John, an emergency medicine physician. 

 He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Orlin and Orlin’s wife, Margaret; brother, Duane and Duane's wife, Eileen; brother, Jim and Jim's wife, Linda, niece, Kimberly Lyng; sister-in-law, Hazel, and her husband, Frank White; brother-in-law, Howard Dalzell, sister-in-law Doris' husband, Merlyn Dick and their son, Roger, and sister-in-law Elaine Maidl's husband, Jerry.

 He is survived by his wife, Myrna; his children, Karen (ex-Garnet) Asmundson, Kathy (Glen) Sawa and John (Megan); grandchildren, Keegan (Julie) and Kellen Asmundson, Aaron, Taylor and twins Jake and Katie Sawa, Evelyn, Elliot and Ingrid Lyng; great-grandson, Arlo Asmundson; and several Lyng and Langlie relatives both here and in Norway. 

 Memorials are preferred to the Merwin and Myrna Lyng Family Mathematics Scholarship at Mayville State. http://www.mayvillestate.edu/LyngMemorial

Visitation: Will be 6–8 PM on Friday, September 13, 2024 with a 7:00 PM Public Prayer Service at the Baker Funeral Home Chapel in Mayville, ND and will resume one hour prior to the service at the church.

Funeral Service: Will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, September 14, 2024 at the Mayville Lutheran Church in Mayville, ND.

Military Honors: May~Port Honor Guard. 

Burial: Will be in the Mayville Cemetery in Mayville, ND.