Mervyn R. "Cowboy" Sigurdson, age 94, of Monroe died on Friday, September 23, 2011 at Graceland Assisted Living in Monroe, following a long illness. Mervyn was born on March 18, 1917 in Edmunton, Alberta, Canada to Harold and Sophia (Young) Sigurdson. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII in the European Theater where he was awarded the Purple Heart. He married the former Lavinia Rolstad of Dodgeville on August 14, 1948. They lived in Rockford where Mervyn worked at J.I. Case for five years and in 1962 he started at National Lock where he retired from in 1985. The couple moved to Monroe in 1996. Mervyn was a member of the V.F.W. in Rockford. He loved the outdoors and open country, whether he was hunting, fishing, bow hunting or being a cowboy. He also enjoyed music and loved picking his guitar.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his step-father, Stanley Buckingham; three sisters, Geneva Polkinghorn Mann; Patricia Hubbard and an infant Doraine Buckingham; four brothers, Byron, Erwin and Lloyd Buckingham an infant, Bradley Buckingham; as well as many brothers and sisters-in-law.

Mervyn is survived by his wife, Lavinia "Vicky" Sigurdson of Monroe; a sister, Darlene Beckett of Dodgeville; a special friend and caregiver, Terri Thompson of Argyle as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 Noon on Monday, September 26, 2011 at the Lulloff-Peterson-Houck Funeral Home in Dodgeville. Pastor Wayne Kennedy and Mike Mueller will officiate. Burial will be in East Side Cemetery with full military honors. Friends may call at the funeral home on Monday after 11:00 A.M.