Wilma Merritt, 84, originally of Maquoketa, Iowa passed away Monday, November 9, 2020 at Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City, Iowa from complications of COVID-19. Friends and Family graveside services and burial will be held at the Andrew, Iowa Cemetery on Saturday, November 28, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. Masks and social distancing required.
Wilma Fay Merritt was born May 29, 1936 in Maquoketa, Iowa to Howard Silas and Viola May Cooley Merritt only 10 months younger than her brother Carlyle and 22 months younger than her sister Frances Merritt Hansen, who passed away in 2005. She was baptized in the Andrew Presbyterian Church and attended Maple Grove Country School through seventh grade. She finished her education in the Maquoketa Schools, where her mother was a music teacher, graduating with the Class of 1953. She was active in vocal music, band and small groups.
Wilma enjoyed life on the family farm 5 miles north of town caring for her family, many animal pets and flower gardening. She sang in the Maquoketa Congregational Church Choir where her mother was director, served as a Sunday School teacher and was an avid reader.
Her working years consisted of time at Clinton Engines and as Jackson County Assistant Recorder. The remainder of her employment (27 years) was spent as a dispatcher at the Maquoketa Police Department. Wilma transferred from her home in Maquoketa in August, 2017 to Good Shepherd in Mason City where some of her family is located and could assist in her care.
She is survived by her brother Carlyle (Averil) Merritt, Mason City. She was a loving aunt to two nephews: Kevin (Rachel) Hansen of Clinton, Iowa and Eric (Brenda) Merritt of Mason City; three nieces: Kathy (Tom Weeks) Hansen of Burien, Washington, Krista (Randy) Barnes of Shenandoah, Iowa and Erin (Tim) Jantsch of Lake Bluff, Illinois. She is also survived by four great nephews and five great nieces and four great, great nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Carson Celebration of Life Center, Maquoketa, Iowa. Should friends desire, memorials may be left in Wilma's name to a charity of their choice. Thank you to the Good Shepherd Staff and MercyOne Hospice of North Iowa for their conscientious care.
Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.
Tributes
Kathleen M. Hansen wrote on Nov 23, 2020:
"For those of you who have added their tributes and memories, of my dear aunt Wilma, Thank you for your kind words about my aunt. Too those she worked with, school mates, and those in the Maquoketa area. All of you, each and everyone of you I\'m sure meant a lot to her over the years. Kathy, her niece. "
Peggy Koranda wrote on Nov 21, 2020:
"I?m so sorry to hear of Wilmas passing. I worked with her at Maquoketa Police Dept for 11 years. Such a lovely person and personality. Darn Pandemic! But I must remember, ? God is looking after her, and who can take better care of her...than Him? Farewell my friend. Peggy Koranda"
Patsy Krantz wrote on Nov 16, 2020:
"My deepest sympathy to Carlyle and Averil and the rest of Wilma\'s family. We were classmates in Highschool together and rode the same school bus to get there. "
Janice Dunne wrote on Nov 16, 2020:
"I\'m so sorry for your loss. I new Wilma from the Maquoketa PD. She trained me. She was the most caring & patient person I knew. "
Mary Stewart Hayward wrote on Nov 16, 2020:
"Wilma was my Sunday School teacher 60 years ago. I was happy to see her around town once in a while the rest of her time here. She was a good woman!"
Marie Hoffmann wrote on Nov 15, 2020:
"I met Wilma through my aunt and uncle Arnold and
Eleanor Busch and grandma Louise Busch. Uncle Arnie would take me back to the Merritt farm when he went to visit. Then we were in the same sorority and I would go to her apt. on N.Main st. after work to change clothes,grab a bite to eat and go to the meeting together. I was working at the hospital or Drs. office. She always had a smile and was a very gracious lady. Carlyle you may remember me as Marie Burrichter. You and your family have my deep sympathy. My prayers and thoughts are with you all."
Krista Barnes wrote on Nov 14, 2020:
"The 80th birthday party, I will miss you my dear Auntie.."
Kathleen M. Hansen wrote on Nov 14, 2020:
"I have added a photo of my Aunt Wilma, at my parents Wedding in 1957. She is next to my mom on the right. To see the whole picture. Go to the top of the page here in hit Photos & Videos. There you will see the whole picture. "
Kathleen M. Hansen wrote on Nov 14, 2020:
"Wilma, Was my mom\'s sister. She will be missed by the entire family. I will always remember my stay over\'s with her, when she was in a upper apartment in a older home near Main street in Maquoketa. Then once she purchased the trailer she lived in near Jackson County Fair Grounds, My Aunt Wilma, would drive down to Camanche/Clinton area and pick me up. We would drive back to Maquoketa, where I would stay weekends. My visits were always pleasant, and fun. We would go to \"Piggy/Wiggly grocery store to pick up my favorite foods for my stays with her. And most of the time she would take me to \"Dairy Queen\" for a ice-cream cone. There were also occasions in which she would make the drive to my/parents home in Camanche Iowa, to have Sunday or Holiday meals with us. And I also remember a trip we took, Just her and I, to Uncle Carlyle and his wife home in Mason City to spend Christmas. The weather was horrible, blizzard conditions. If I remember right I was the one who had to drive. But we had a great time! I know now she is with her sister (my mom, Frances) and her parents. And sitting in the Throne room of God. And I also know I will see her again when it is my time to meet the Lord. Thanks for allowing me to share my thoughts on my Aunt. "
Kathleen M. Hansen wrote on Nov 14, 2020:
"Kathleen M.Hansen (niece of Wilma). Wilma was my Mother\'s sister, she will be missed. I remember when I use to go visit and stay with her, in a upper apartment over a older home in Maquoketa near Main Street. Then once she moved to a trailer she purchased out near the Jackson County Fair Grounds. I always remember my visits and stay as fun and pleasant. We would shop at \"Piggy/Wiggly grocery store to get my favorite foods for my stay overs with her. And sometimes she would take me to \"Dairy Queen\" for a ice cream cone. For special occasions, she would make the drive to Camanche/Clinton Iowa area, to my family home to have Sunday and Holiday meals with us. She is now with my Mom- Frances, and her parents-Howard S. Merritt, and his wife in Heaven. And I know I will see her again, when it is my time to meet the Lord. "
Ken Davison wrote on Nov 14, 2020:
"Wilma was a neighbor to my dad and his family when they were kids on the farm. I remember her from when she worked at the Police Department. She was always smiling and very friendly when we would run into City Hall. My condolences to her family and may she rest in peace."