Home / Disasters and Accidents / Boy's Memory Lives On With Lakeside Bench
Boy's Memory Lives On With Lakeside Bench
19 Aug
Summary
- A bench honors Fletcher Merkel near Grass Lake.
- Fletcher died in a school shooting last August.
- Neighbors raised $3,000 for the memorial bench.
A memorial bench has been unveiled overlooking Grass Lake, honoring eight-year-old Fletcher Merkel. Fletcher lost his life in a mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis last August.
The bench was a community effort, with the Kenny Neighborhood Association working with Fletcher's family. Neighbors contributed $3,000 to fund the memorial, a spot Fletcher enjoyed.
His mother, Mollie Merkel, shared an anecdote about Fletcher's persistence in fishing at Grass Lake, highlighting his passionate spirit. The bench's inscription reflects this memory.
The memorial's placement allows for clear sunset views, a daily reminder for Fletcher's mother. The bench's installation comes shortly before the one-year anniversary of the tragic school shooting.
Earlier this summer, the Merkel family initiated an annual fishing event on Lake Harriet. The event aims to teach children fishing skills and raise funds for scholarships at Annunciation school.
