Merna Delilah [Grimm] Gere 1932-2012

GRIMM, REED, GERE, WENGRYN, MILER, HILL, NUNEZ, BRUNS, POWELL, KRUG, MCELFISH, HATFIELD, SNETHEN, COWDEN, STICKLEY

Posted By: Curtis (email)
Date: 5/23/2012 at 10:29:07

Obituary -

(The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Iowa April 11, 2012)

MERNA [GRIMM] GERE ... Merna Delilah Gere, daughter of the late Vernie Clate and Nellie May [Reed] Grimm, was born December 1, 1932 in Long Creek Township of Decatur County, Iowa. As was her wish, she passed fro this life from her home in Van Wert, Iowa on Saturday, March 31, 2012 surrounded by her family.

Merna received her education in the Clarke County Schools. When she was 18 years old, she was requested by her older brother to move to White River, South Dakota to babysit her nieces. While there she was introduced to Scottie Gene Gere. They were united in marriage on October 27, 1951 at Rapid City, South Dakota. To this union five children were born, Shelda Renae, Avis LaRae, Velma Rogene, Elwin Delilah, and Darwin Eugene.

Merna started her nursing skills in Osceola, Iowa working with Dr. Stroy. She loved talking about the knowledge she learned from working in the clinic and was willing to pass on that knowledge to others. Merna continued her nursing skills as an aide in the hospital in Sturgis, South Dakota where the family lived for several years. They all moved back to Iowa in the Fall of 1971. Merna continued her career working in Osceola at Furnas Electric, Leisure Manor Nursing Facility, and most recently, nine years at Lakeside Casino in the give shop, meeting and making many new friends.

Merna had many interests in her life. Most importantly, she dedicated her life to serving the Lord, secondly, playing the piano for her pleasure and in church, and thirdly doing crossword puzzles and crocheting. Lastly, Merna collected humming birds, cardinals and angels.

Preceding her in death wee her parents; husband; grandchildren, Johnny Wengryn, Kirk Miler, Todd Wengryn, and Deanna Hill; brothers, Dale, Dean, and Carroll Grimm; sisters, Vernice Nunez, Clara Bruns, Orma Powell, and infant twins, Nina Kay and Ina Fae.

Those left to cherish her memory are children, Shelda & Firdie Hill and Avis & Elmer Miler, all of Leon, Iowa, Velma & John Wengryn of Davis City, Iowa, Elwin & Ken Krug of Odessa, Texas and Darwin Gere and his lived ones; grandchildren, Diana McElfish, Denise Hill and friend Galen, Duane Hill and friend Kylie, Okalena & Bill Hill, Tony Miler and friend Jennifer, Tamara & John Hatfield, Katie Wengryn and friend, Davis, Alison, Samuel, and Mara Wengryn, Tina and Matthew Snethen, Blake Cowden, and Dustin, Dakota, and Dylan Hill; 15 great grandchildren; sister Orvetta Stickley of Lonsdale, Arkansas; brother Estel Grimm and wife Elaine of Logan, Iowa; sister-in-law Marian Grimm of Van Wert; brother-in-law Robert Powell of Osceola, Iowa; many nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.