Obituary of Martena Merriam

Martena Lois (Ver Hoef) Merriam was born on March 31, 1915. She was the second of three children born to Effie (Boone) and Walter Ver Hoef. She spent her early years on the farm near Sheldon where she was born, and then moved with her family to a farm two miles south of Sanborn. She missed two years of school to stay home and work on the farm, but later attended school and graduated from Sanborn Public High School in 1936. She was united in marriage to Wilbur Merriam on May 7, 1937, and they became the parents of five children. With the exception of one and a half years in South Dakota, Martena lived the rest of her life in Sanborn. During WWII, when her children were very young, she worked at the local telephone office while Wilbur was away serving with the U.S. Army. She later wrote for the Sanborn Pioneer for many years. She helped raise funds for the first swimming pool in Sanborn, and faithfully supported her children’s school activities. Martena retained her love of the outdoors and farming her whole life. She always had a concern for how the weather would affect the crops. The family planted a large garden every year until physical disabilities prohibited. She held a particular fascination for butterflies, and loved tulips, daisies and zinnias. In her later years, when she was confined to her home, Martena enjoyed watching the neighborhood children as they walked to and from school and the swimming pool. She also enjoyed visiting with friends in her home and on the telephone. She was a long-time member of St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church. She passed away at her home in Sanborn on Saturday, September 4, 2010, at the age of 95. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one brother, Herman Ver Hoef and a younger sister, Esther Gibbs. Survivors include her children and their families: Mrs. Glee Folsom of Seattle, WA, Norman (Letitia) Merriam and Lanny (Sigrid) Merriam, all of Laramie, WY, Mrs. Joy (Roger) Lyons of Cody, WY, and Mrs. Jil (Paul) Garry of Lake City, MN; 16 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Celebration of Life Martena Lois Merriam Born ~ March 31, 1915 Died ~ September 4, 2010 Age ~ 95 years 5 months 3 days Funeral Service 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 10, 2010 United Methodist Church ~ Sanborn, Iowa Officiants ~ Rev. Thomas A. Connors Rev. Paul Hansen Organist ~ Pat Wachtel Soloist ~ Galen Rozeboom “How Great Thou Art” “The Old Rugged Cross” Congregational Singing “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” Pallbearers Martena’s family Ushers Bill Dummett Barney Buren Interment Roseland Cemetery ~ Sanborn, Iowa