Annunciation community remembers Fletcher Merkel at funeral

Annunciation community remembers Fletcher Merkel at funeral

Family and friends of Fletcher Merkel gathered Sunday at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church to remember the Annunciation student who was killed in the mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School on Aug. 27.

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - A funeral service was held Sunday for 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel, one of the two children killed during the mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church.

Annunciation shooting victim Fletcher Merkel honored at funeral [FULL]

Annunciation Church and School student Fletcher Merkel was remembered at a memorial service on Sunday at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Merkel was one of two students killed in the Aug. 27 mass shooting.

At the request of the family, FOX 9 crews were not onsite, but you can watch the full service in the video above.

During the service, Annunciation Catholic Church Pastor Dennis Zehren spoke about Merkel and the shooting. One of Merkel's aunts spoke, as did a close family friend who coached Merkel in several youth sports.

Annunciation victim funeral

What we know:

A funeral service honoring Merkel was at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 7, at Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church, with visitation starting at 2 p.m., according to an obituary provided by his family.

The obituary requests people who attend to "please wear bright colors" and, in lieu of flowers, consider making a contribution to a fund created in his memory.

Annunciation Church pastor speaks at Fletcher Merkel's funeral

Annunciation Church Pastor Dennis Zehren spoke Sunday at the funeral for Fletcher Merkel, one of two students killed in the mass shooting at Annunciation Church and School.

Fletcher Merkel's aunt: 'We will love you forever'

One of Fletcher Merkel's aunts spoke at his funeral Sunday at Mount Olivet Church and spoke of his love for fishing and sports. Fletcher Merkel was one of two students killed in a mass shooting at Annunciation Church on Aug. 27.

What they're saying:

The full obituary for Fletcher Merkel can be read below:

"[Fletcher Merkel] had sparkling blue eyes, freckles, blonde hair that often defied gravity and an infectious smile. He was always in motion, dancing with every touchdown he scored in flag football, or playing basketball in the driveway with his older brother and neighborhood friends. Fletcher used his boundless creativity to build Lego cities with his siblings and cook new recipes like bacon macaroni and cheese alongside his parents. Whether it was pickled herring or blue cheese, he was always up for trying new foods.

"Curious about animals, he had an expansive collection of facts to share. During the summer he would bring turtles, frogs, fish, butterflies, caterpillars and worms home to study and release. Fishing with his father was one of his favorite activities. With his family, he explored the world, visiting the Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands and Spain in the last two years. He was looking forward to going to his first Packers game at Lambeau Field this fall, with dreams of being an NFL player one day himself.

"Fletcher shared his love generously with everyone around him, friends and family alike. He loved and will be loved forever by: his mother, Mollie; his father, Jesse; his older brother; his younger sister; his younger brother; his dog, Clementine; his grandfather Dennis; his aunt Erin, uncle Joe and their three children; his grandfather Ron and grandmother Carol; his aunt Laura, his uncle David and their two children. His grandmother Kathryn was already waiting for him."