Mildred Ione Merrill

Mildred Ione Tolley passed away on September 16, 2009, at the Monticello Care Center in Idaho Falls. She was blessed to live a full and active life of 95 years. Mildred was born on October 9, 1913, in Nephi, Utah, the first of nine children of Perry William Tolley and Ella Fowkes Tolley. Enticed by the opportunities that potato farming offered, Mildred’s family moved to Rigby, Idaho, when she was seven years old. She attended schools in Rigby until her freshman year when she quit to work at a seed house to help her family financially. When Mildred was 17 years old she married Rex Smith Merrill in Bellingham, Washington on May 22, 1931. They made their home in Menan, Idaho, farming 40 acres that Rex’s father had given to them for their wedding gift. It was during the depression and times were hard. Their home was small and provided protection from the rain and snow, but not from the cold. It was here that Mildred and Rex began their family. They lived on what they raised in the garden and milk and butter from their cow. Mildred felt fortunate when they moved into a new home they built on the property. She raised her family there and lived there until after Rex’s death in 1985. It was a showplace for her beautiful flower gardens. Food was canned and stored as it was harvested from her garden and fruit trees. Mildred had a knack for making a delicious meal out of left- overs from the fridge, and offered to everyone who came to visit. Hard work was always demonstrated as part of Mildred’s life. She worked as a trimmer at Fresh-Pac in Menan until her retirement. When at home, she never had an idle moment. Even when sitting and visiting, Mildred would always have yarn and a crochet hook in her hand, making another afghan to use or give as a gift. Mildred was an active member in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her marriage was solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple in August of 1965. She was also one of the original founders of the Friendship Club in Menan. They met together to quilt, help the needy, and socialize. She and Rex loved to dance. Their favorite place was Riverside Gardens. Mother was an example of devotion to her family. She cared diligently for her son, Lorin, who was born with disabilities, only to be compounded when he contacted polio. She cared for him long past the time that most mothers can say their job is done. It was a difficult decision for her to place him in a care center so she could be a snowbird with Rex. They spent several winters in Overton, Nevada, before Rex’s passing. In 1989, Mildred married Rex’s older brother, Floyd Ray Merrill. Her children jokingly called him “Uncle-Dad.” They spent ten years together before his passing. Mildred is survived by her children, Glenda (Steven) Weekes, Bonnie Hammond, and Terry (Debbie) Merrill, all from Idaho Falls; Diane (Butch) Widerburg of Bull Head City, Arizona; Merlin (Ena) Merrill of Rigby, Idaho; Keith (Louise) Merrill of New Ipswitch, New Hampshire; Kim (Shirley) Merrill from Yuma, Arizona. Thirty children call her Grandma. She is also blessed with 53 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. Grandma always delighted from their hugs, especially as she grew old. She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Rex Smith Merrill; Floyd Merrill; son Lorin Merrill; grandchildren, Todd Rolfe, Jeffrey Weekes, Eric Weekes, and April Merrill; and great-grandchildren, Cierra Burke, Jarom Weekes, and Nevaeh Merrill. Mother, you are an example of faith, endurance, and hard work. We appreciate your love and service to our families. You will be missed. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, September 21, 2009, at the Ammon 15th Ward Chapel, 3000 Central, Ammon, with Bishop Brett Acor, conducting. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Sunday, at Eckersell Memorial Chapel, 101 W. Main St., Rigby, and from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the Annis Little Butte Cemetery, under the care of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.