Loleta May Merrill

BURLEY – Loleta Udy May Merrill of Burley, Idaho, passed away Friday, March 24, 2017, in Murray, Utah, at the Intermountain Medical Center, after suffering a stroke on Tuesday, March 21. She was 88 years old and always lived her life to the fullest.

She was born on her family’s ranch at Cassia Creek, near Elba, Idaho, on April 15, 1928, the daughter of Etta Eveline Rich and Lot Smith Udy. She was the sixth of seven children and she had a twin brother, Lyle. She rode horseback to the Elba grade school each day. She attended Malta High School and when her parents sold the ranch, she finished her schooling at Burley High School.

On Nov. 29, 1944, she married Wayne May in Burley, Idaho. They were blessed with five children, Linda, Gay Dawn, Marlin, Marshall, and Mervin. They worked together farming for the first few years of their marriage. In 1952, they leased the original Farmer’s Corner store just south of Burley. Two years later, they built a new store across the street and continued in the grocery and fuel business until November of 1963, when they sold the store and purchased Valley Livestock Commission Company in Rupert, Idaho. This business was very successful for Wayne and Loleta, due in part, to many faithful buyers and livestock producers, as well as dedicated employees. Wayne became ill in the fall of 1972, and passed away at age 49 from a malignant brain tumor. Loleta continued to run the business until the property was sold in 1983.

Loleta married Albion rancher, Donald Merrill, in September of 1983, and moved to Albion, Idaho. Once again, she was on a ranch and she loved the Albion Valley. Don passed away in 2001, and she continued to live on the ranch until buying a home in Burley in 2014.

Loleta was active in many organizations. She served on the Idaho Beef Council and was a member of the Idaho Cattlewomen Association and served as president of the Mini-Cassia Cattlewomen. She rode with the Minidoka Wranglers riding club for a number of years. In 1994, she was inducted into the Southern Idaho Livestock Hall of Fame. She was also honored to be Grandma Rodeo Queen in 2003 for the Minidoka County Fair and Rodeo. In 2006, she was chosen as the Farm Woman of Cassia County by Farm Bureau. She was a member of the Albion Senior Citizens and the Albion Four-Leaf Clover Club. She was a faithful member of the LDS Church and loved being a Den Mother for eight years in the Pella Ward. She also served in the Sunday School, Mutual, Primary and Relief Society. She served in the Bishop’s Storehouse and the Twin Falls Temple, which she dearly loved. She was always happiest when she was busy helping others; cooking, cleaning, canning fruits and vegetables, and making jerky, pickles, and jam and jelly that she shared with her family and friends. She also enjoyed bowling for more than 40 years, golf, horseback riding, traveling, reading, and, watching many sports on TV – especially rodeos, bull riding, and the Golden State Warriors.

She is survived by her children, Linda (Wendell) Cutler of Heyburn, Gay Dawn (Lonnie) Downs of Burley, Marshall May and Mervin (Tracey) May both of Rupert; 17 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; and 24 great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her bonus Merrill family, daughter-in-law, Evelyn (Gary Lynn-deceased) Merrill; and son, Donald Lee (Deann) Merrill, all of Bountiful, Utah; and 34 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Wayne and Donald; her son, Marlin; Don’s son, Gary Lynn Merrill; her parents; and her siblings, Norma Bedke, Josie Spiers, Darhl Udy, Arthella Warren, Lyle Udy, and Patty Hayden.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 31, at the Burley West Stake Center, 2420 Parke Ave., in Burley, with Bishop Brent Winn officiating. Burial will follow at Gem Memorial Gardens in Burley.

Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday, March 30, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Friday, preceding the service at the church.

Memorial contributions in Loleta’s name may be made to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Humanitarian Fund, Missionary Fund, or a charity of your choice.