Mervin John Dagg

Mervin John Dagg was a friend to all that knew him. You may have known him as Mervin or Mervyn- there has always been a discrepancy in how to spell it. But he was affectionately known to those who loved him as MJD The Boss. 

Merv passed away at the age of 93 at the Country Meadows Personal Care home in Neepawa on December 27th, 2025.

Merv was Born October 15th 1932 in Clanwilliam to Merle & John Dagg. He was the oldest of the six children, followed by Rebecca, Nelson, Bruce, Lionel & Sharon. His dad worked for the CN Railway. The family moved a lot to follow the work on the railway, and his mom kept busy raising the kids. 

Merv quit school in grade 8 and entered the work force. Over the years he worked with CN Railway, Murray’s Garage, The Town of Neepawa and as a bus driver. Merv also taught driver’s ed for Highschool students and adults- including women who were learning to drive later in their lives!  In his later years, he enjoyed his time working at the local dump. Merv was a collector of treasurers and was always bringing things home!

Mervin married Mildred Hilton on February 2nd, 1953 in Neepawa and together they had nine children, however; their oldest baby was born sleeping. They raised their eight kids in their two bedroom farmhouse, filling the basement and upstairs with kids! 

They built their home on their farm from the ground up. Mervin would comment on how when he bought the land, it was all overgrown and surrounded by barb wired fence. He moved in a small old farm house that consisted of the upstairs and a couple small rooms downstairs, he built the rest on himself. Together they created what is affectionately known to all as “The Farm.” Where their kids have fond memories of piling into the old station wagon for road trips, fall butchering days always made for a family gathering, never being surprised by a baby pig or calf living in the house and an occasional Dagg party. 

With the loss of Mervin comes the end of an era. Mervin and Mildred worked their whole lives to create their little corner of the world into something truly magical & they did it. The farm was home to many. Kids, grandkids, great grandkids, friends, animals- everyone was welcome. And once you sat at their table, you became part of something bigger. A place where the backyard and farmyard were full of imagination and adventure. Mildred always had treats and coffee available in the house. Mervin’s many sheds and outbuildings were very DIY but filled with tools and miscellaneous treasures that he had collected. He was a collector of treasurers and a fixer of things. He could make or fix anything! Specifically with the use of glue, duct tape and paint. It wasn’t always pretty, but it was always effective! 

He was passionate about his farm critters and the whole family always looked forward to the arrival of new baby animals each spring. And it was never a surprise to find a critter or two being bottle fed inside the house. Merv always had a companion dog, and each one of them was truly man’s best friend. 

Merv was a putterer. You could always find him fixing something or making something old new again. Or you might find him snoozing in “his” spot on the couch or sitting in the sun on the deck just taking the farm all in. Visitors were always welcomed & he loved a good chat with anybody who stopped by. He was a story teller by nature and you always left a little bit wiser. Mervin was no stranger to a witty comment and had a great sense of humor. 

He grew the most beautiful gardens. Rows and rows of vegetables, just waiting to go home with the visitors of the day. He worked the garden with his tiller and weeded by hand. You could often find him on his hands and knees in the garden, his loyal dog never far away! There was also always an assortment of “garden” containers and tins full of his seeds and miscellaneous growing supplements for his plants! 

His farm was his passion and his love for the life he built ran deep. The family gatherings were always chaotic as the family grew but they always managed to squeeze into the farm house and in later years, they moved the gatherings outside! He didn’t say much during these gatherings but you could see him soaking it all in. MJD The Boss was one of a kind and will be remembered fondly by all that knew him. 

Mervin was pre deceased by his parents- Merle & John Dagg. His siblings- Rebecca Dagg, Nelson Dagg & Lionel Dagg.  His brother in law- Bob Attwood and sister in law- Nettie Dagg.  His infant daughter-“Baby Dagg.” His son- Robert Dagg. His son in law- Paul Ravensdale. 

Mervin is survived by siblings- Bruce(Susan) Dagg and Sharon Attwood. His sister in law Francis Dagg. His children- Karen Kasprick (Don Mcgorman), Donna Freeman, Murray (Jacqueline) Dagg, Marilyn (Ernie) Noordenbos, Toby Dagg, Shelly Ravensdale, Lisa (Shane) Cluett. Many grandchildren, great grandchildren, a great great grandchild, nieces, nephews and many others who loved him. 

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