Northern Wyoming News - Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years

Merle Duane Pitz, 89, passed away on January 9, 2022. He was born in Edmonds County, South Dakota to John and Mary Hansen Pitz on August 11, 1932. Merle attended grade school in Edmonds County and high school in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Merle married Doris Moulton in 1952 and joined the Navy in March of that same year; serving until 1956. Merle worked as a welder for Craven Welding in Aberdeen from 1956 to 1958. He moved to a ranch in Forbes, North Dakota in 1958 and lived there for 17 years. They bought a ranch in Worland, Wyoming in 1977 where they ranched for 20 years. They then moved to Lewistown, Montana and worked a ranch for three years before moving to Ten Sleep where Merle ranched until retirement in 2014. He is survived by his wife, Doris Pitz, children: John (Nancy) Pitz of Filer, Idaho; Rita (Ron) Lund of Lewistown; and Connie (Gorde) Reed of Worland; sister, Beverly Bauer of Aberdeen, 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at the Bryant Funeral Home Chapel 10:00 am, Saturday, January 15, 2022 with Justin Pfeiffer officiating. Military Honors will be provided by American Legion Post #44. Burial will follow at Ten Sleep Cemetery. A memorial fund has been set up to help cover the cost of the headstone. Donations may be made out to the Merle Pitz Memorial Fund and sent to PO Box 524 Worland, Wyoming 82401. Online condolences may be made at http://www.bryantfuneralhomeonline.com.