Isabel Wade Merrell Obituary (1920 - 2011)

Isabel Merrell BRIGHAM CITY - Isabel Wade Merrell, our beloved Mother, Grandmother and Great-grandmother passed away peacefully on March 16, 2011. Isabel was born on January 6, 1920 in Warren, Utah the third of seven children born to Albert F. and Berdenna Vogelzand Wade. She married Paul R. Merrell, August 10, 1942 in the Salt Lake Temple. They were married for 55 years before Paul's death in 1997. Isabel attended school in Warren and Plain City, and graduated from Weber High School. After graduation, she attended Utah State University and graduated with a B.S. Degree in Education. Isabel later did graduate study in Early Childhood and Special Education, obtaining her Masters Degree. She taught elementary school in Weber and Box Elder Counties for 20 years, and was beloved by all her students. Isabel was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in the Presidency of both the Primary and Relief Society. She was a member of the Forest Hills Ward in Brigham City. After her husband's death, Isabel fulfilled an LDS Mission to the Texas Houston East Mission. Isabel loved gardening and was thrilled when she had her own greenhouse built in her backyard. She grew flowers, vegetables and herbs, and loved giving them away to her family and friends. She was a former member of the Civic Improvement Club, and was active in politics. She helped to start the young Republican Club of Brigham City, was a delegate to the State Republican Convention and a member of the Box Elder County Republican Committee. Isabel was skilled in all types of handicrafts, but she especially enjoyed quilting and was a member of the Brigham City Quilt Set. Her quilts have been shown throughout the state. Isabel loved collecting Antique furniture and glass, and much to her husband's dismay, she would haul old pieces of furniture home for him to repair and refinish. She also loved playing duplicate bridge and was an advanced member in the A.C.B.L. She continued playing bridge into her 90's. Isabel was an avid football fan and would spend hours watching her favorite teams. She also enjoyed local Box Elder High School athletics and faithfully followed the Jazz Basketball Team. After Paul's retirement, they loved spending their winters in Green Valley, Arizona, where Paul golfed and Isabel played bridge and enjoyed teaching quilting classes to her new Arizona friends. Isabel is survived by her three children: Jane Goodliffe (Reid), Bruce W. Merrell (Sherri), and Maryann Crofts (Mike), seven grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren and one brother, Harold Wade. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, four sisters and one brother, and her granddaughter, Lisa McMillan Ward. Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 21, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at the Forest Hills Ward Chapel, 25 N. 300 E., Brigham City, Utah. The viewing will be held on Sunday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Myers Mortuary, 205 S. 100 E., Brigham City and on Monday from 12:00 to 12:40 p.m. at the Forest Hills Ward. Interment will be in the Brigham City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Perpetual Education Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. VisitationMyers Mortuary - Brigham City 205 South 100 East Brigham City, UT 84302 March 20, 2011 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM ServiceBrigham City Forest Hills Ward Chapel 25 North 300 East Brigham City, UT 84302 March 21, 2011 1:00 PM CemeteryBrigham City Cemetery 325 South 300 East Brigham City, UT 84302 March 21, 2011