'Please Wear Bright Colors': Funeral For Annunciation Student Fletcher Merkel Announced

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — A funeral will be held Sunday for Fletcher Alexander Merkel, 8, of Minneapolis, one of two children killed in the mass shooting last week at Annunciation Catholic Church.

His funeral service will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, with a visitation starting at 2 p.m. at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, 5025 Knox Avenue South, in Minneapolis.

The family asked that those attending "please wear bright colors."

According to his obituary, Fletcher "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."

Listen: KDWB Replays Fletcher Merkel’s Joyful Radio Clip After Father’s Call

Fletcher’s family remembered his boundless creativity, writing that he "used his boundless creativity to build Lego cities with his siblings and cook new recipes like bacon macaroni and cheese alongside his parents." They said, "whether it was pickled herring or blue cheese, he was always up for trying new foods."

He was also curious about animals. "During the summer he would bring turtles, frogs, fish, butterflies, caterpillars and worms home to study and release," his obituary noted. "Fishing with his father was one of his favorite activities."

His obituary also recalled the many places Fletcher traveled with his family in just the last two years: "the Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands and Spain."

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," the obituary said. He is survived by his parents, Mollie and Jesse; his siblings; his dog, Clementine; and his extended family.

Funeral details for Harper Moyski, the 10-year-old killed in the shooting, have not yet been shared.

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