Merle Von Minden

Merle H. Von Minden (June 8, 1926 – July 17, 2017) was a Republican politician from Nebraska who served as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 17th district from 1981 to 1985.

Early life Von Minden was born in Martinsburg, Nebraska, in 1926. He graduated from Ponca High School and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. In the nonpartisan primary, he faced college professor Gerald Conway, farmer Edwin Fahrenzhold, former Wayne Board of Education member Frederick Mann, and businessman Eugene O'Neill. Conway placed first in the primary, winning 25 percent of the vote. Von Minden only narrowly defeated Fahrenholz for second place, winning by 12 votes after a mandatory recount. In the primary election, Von Minden placed first, winning 59 percent of the vote to Conway's 41 percent. Conway narrowly defeated Von Minden, receiving 51 percent of the vote to his 49 percent.