Carolyn Ruth Merrill

Carolyn Ruth Merrill, age 83 of Ogallala, passed away on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at the Indian Hills Manor Nursing Home in Ogallala. Cremation was chosen and Memorial Services will be scheduled and announced at a later date.
Carolyn was born February 18, 1929 at Elsie, Nebraska the daughter of Jesse Ellsworth and Freida (Smith) Rogers. Carolyn was raised in the Elsie community. She started high school in Grant and later graduated from the Elsie High School. Following her high school graduation she attended and graduated from Cosmetology school in Hastings, Nebraska. She married Wendell J Merrill on June 19, 1949 at Elsie and the couple made their first home there where she operated a beauty shop in her home. They resided in both Ogallala and Grant before finally settling in Ogallala in the late 1960’s and Carolyn was employed by Irene Fox at the Wee Flower Shop.
Carolyn was a devout Christian attending the Church of Christ where she taught many children in Sunday School and Bible School classes as well as serving in many other various ways including coordinating meals on wheels for several years. She was active for many years in the Women’s Division of the Chamber of Commerce and was elected President in 1975. That year she was also awarded the Nebraska Community Improvement Program Leadership Award for her achievements in supporting the community and state. She worked tirelessly as the Co-Chairwoman for the Fantasyland project designing and preparing the displays for the enjoyment of children and adults, which brought thousands of visitors to the community in the 1980’s during the Holiday Season.
She was a gifted musician with a beautiful voice and could play several instruments by ear. She especially loved to play the organ. She enjoyed anything that allowed her to utilize her artistic and creative abilities, from arranging flowers and decorating of any kind to oil and watercolor painting. Carolyn enjoyed Nebraska football and others sports and was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
In later years with her own health failing she was still a dedicated servant of God, caring for the elderly and shut in friends and community members. This care and concern for others continued even in her last years while residing at Indian Hills Manor. The family would like to express it’s sincere appreciation to the staff there for the excellent care given Carolyn, as well as to the Hospice organization, the Ogallala Community Hospital and Medical Clinic and Dr. Johnson and Dr. Byrd for their excellent care.
Survivors include her husband, Wendell Merrill of Ogallala; two sons, David Merrill of Denver, CO and Scott (Gwen) Merrill of Ogallala; four grandchildren, Ryan (Kourtney) Merrill of Denver, CO, Eric Merrill of Prescott, AZ, Eboni Merrill of Omaha, NE and Ambri (Ted) Vogel of Bennington, NE; one great grandson, Sam Merrill of Denver, CO; two sisters, Mary Pedigo of Colorado Springs, CO and Loreen Harshman of Wray, CO; brother in law, Bill (Gloria) Merrill of Bellevue, NE; and Wendell’s brother in law, Harry Schack of Lakewood, CO and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant daughter, Debra DeeAnn; sister, Nadine Burdick and sister in laws, Edith and Claude Graves and Doris Schack.
A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 28th, 2012 at the Ogallala Church of Christ, 5th and K Street, Ogallala, Nebraska.
A memorial has been established in her memory. Online condolences may be sent at gubserfuneralhome.com. Gubser Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.