Merell was born in Jewell County, Kansas on October 28, 1930 to Clarence Curtis and Bulah (Patton) Folsom and left this world on April 8, 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Merell attended High School, Mankato, Ks., K-State College, Manhattan, Ks. and Colo. State University, Ft. Collins, CO. He earned a Master in Education, Industrial Arts. Merell married Beryl Ault Dec. 22, 1951 at the Methodist Church, Mankato; Ks. Merell served in the Army as a Lt. for 2 years at Ft. Benning, Georgia. He was sent for ten days to Desert Rock, Nevada 20 April 1955 to participate in an atomic bomb test. He spent 5 years in the National Guard as a Capt. He taught Industrial Arts at Macksville, Ks. for four years and Cunningham, Ks., four years, then Cheyenne Mtn. High School, Colorado Springs, CO., from 1964 to 1987.
Merell enjoyed hiking, camping, fly fishing, cross country skiing, Scottish and Square Dancing. He taught and called Old Time Square Dancing along with Vic Fast. He performed as Abe Lincoln at Rock Ledge Ranch and at some District 11 Elementary Schools for several years. He was well recognized as Abe Lincoln. He also dressed in the time period of covered wagons and talked to elementary students about how they traveled and lived at that time and had a model of covered wagons pulled by horses he took with him. He worked with Pikes Peak Library in the Right to Read Program for 2 years. He was a History Buff and researched and knew a lot about the History of Kansas and Colorado and Oregon Trail etc.
He is survived by his wife, Beryl Folsom; one daughter, Linda Kay Kover (significant other/Bob Barnes); one son, Kent Leon Folsom (Susan );daughter-in-law, Sally Folsom Moses (Dan); sisters-in-law, Shirley Crenshaw (Don) and Shirley Folsom; Grandchildren, Angie Sams, Nichole Struble (Fred) Jason Kover, Dana Bendele (Chantel) and Brianne Simpson (Chad); eight great grandchildren, two nieces and four nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his brother, Carl Folsom; and two sons, Mark and Blain Folsom.
A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.
Margo & Jack Anthony
12 Apr 2020Our deepest prayers for the Folsom family. May you be comforted by all the wonderful memories with Merell. God bless everyone ?. Margo and Jack Anthony
Anonymous
15 Apr 2020Sorry to hear of Mr Merl’s passing. Had him for shop class at CMHS in 68-69and 70. Learned a lot from him.Several time 4 or 5 of us (students) would get together and reminisce. God speed Mr Merl!
Adele Beard
17 Apr 2020What a beautiful write up about Merell. So much I didn’t know. I remember Mel climbing up the back side of Pikes Peak on his 70th birthday then coming that same evening to contra dance. What energy. He made the comment that he was just a little tired. Very inspiring.
Merell contributed much to the traditional dance community of Colorado Springs.
Michael Dyer
17 Apr 2020I appreciate and remember 20 years of dancing with Merell and Beryl. What an absolutely wonderful human being. So sad to hear of the loss.
Jacqueline Keller
17 Apr 2020Over the years I had so many good dances with Mel. I particularly remember Square Dancing in the park and years of Scottish dancing. But seeing him perform as Abe Lincoln and taking his notes (the Gettysburg Address) out of his top hat always amused me. He was a special man.
Steve Morath
28 Apr 2020As a former student of his, this man was always “Mr Folsom” to me, even after we became reacquainted when I started contra dancing. He was a true old fashioned gentlemen and I enjoyed knowing him very much in his later years, and learning so much from his wide knowledge of dancing. Sending my deepest condolences to his family.