Gila Merfeld, 102, formerly of Charles City, died Friday, Nov. 14, 2008 at the Liebe Care Center in Greene.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 19, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Roseville.
Officiating will be Monsignor Walter Brunkan.  Interment will follow the Mass in St. Mary's Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. with a 7 p.m. Scriptural Wake Service followed by a rosary on Tuesday at St. Mary's School in Roseville. Memorials may be made to the family for a charity to be determined later.  Stories, thoughts and condolences may be shared with the family on the funeral home website at www.Fullertonfh.com.
Gila was born on Sept. 2, 1906 in rural Marble Rock, the daughter of Edmund and Ada (Lines) Garber.  She graduated from Marble Rock High School in 1925.  She proudly worked for the Marble Rock Post Office until 1929. On Jan. 29, 1929 she was united in marriage to Leander Merfeld in Roseville, and the couple made their home on a farm near Roseville for the next 53 years.  She worked side by side with her husband on the farm, as well as being a devoted mother to her children.  Gila and Leander moved to Charles City in 1982.  Her husband passed away in December of 1992 after 62 years of marriage.  Gila then moved to Greene in 2001.  She was a member of St. Mary's Church in Greene, the St. Jude's Circle, the Rosary Society and a former member of the American Legion Auxiliary.  Gila enjoyed playing bridge with many different clubs, gardening and knitting and crocheting.  Most important to her was her faith, which she lived every day. Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Richard (Rita) Merfeld of Greene, Roger (Edna) Merfeld of Rockford, Kenneth (Myrna) Merfeld of Weslaco, Texas, Mary Jeanne (Francis) Stadler of Grand Junction, Colo., Rose Anne Leaver of Slatington, Pa. and Raymond (Evelyn) Merfeld of East Dubuque, Ill.; 20 grandchildren; 34 great grandchildren; 8 great-great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Audrey Merfeld of Marble Rock and numerous nieces and nephews. Gila was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Leander; sister, Josie Keith; brother, Guy Garber; granddaughter, Julia Merfeld and son-in-law, Theodore Leaver.
Fullerton-Hage-Funeral Home and Cremation Services, located at 401 Blunt St. Charles City, IA 50616 is in charge of the arrangements. They can be reached at (641) 228-4211 or www.fullertonfh.com