Martha L. (Wells) Merry

Martha L. (Wells) Merry passed away on Oct. 7, 2020.  Although her family will miss her, we take comfort knowing she is at peace.

Beloved Wife of the late Donald L. Merry. Loving mother to Pamela Sue (Patrick) Fendt, Elizabeth Ann Merry (Christopher Schmit), Michael Don (Pam) Merry, and Mitchell Dan Merry.  Loved sister-in law of Susan and Don Vinicor, Tom Merry, Ray Merry. Preceded in death by her parents Carol “Brownie” Wells and George Wells, her sister Marilyn Joy Watkins, brother-in-law Dick Watkins, nephew Lew Watkins, and grandson Eric Louks.  Survived by her four children and their spouses, her grandchildren Thomas, Chloe, Geena, Peter, Carmen, Ali, Adam, Tony, Ashley, and Scott, and her nieces and nephews Susan (Tim) Dirks and Kate (Roger) Anderson, Melinda Vinicor, Melissa Vinicor, Karen Merry, Mark Merry.

Born in Rolfe, Iowa, Martha lived in several different Iowa small towns while growing up. She graduated from Storm Lake High School in 1952 and already had an office job by the time she graduated. In 1955 she married her high school sweetheart Donald Merry. The couple moved to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for Don to serve two years in the US Army, and Martha did secretarial work on the base. After that, they moved their mobile home back to Iowa and Martha supported Don as he completed a degree in microbiology. When Don got a job at Norden Laboratories the couple settled in Lincoln, Nebraska where they were active in the 2nd Presbyterian Church and social justice organizations such as the NAACP and NOW, and where Martha worked in the Secretary of State’s office in the capitol building.

Martha and Don were loving parents to 4 children, instilling their work ethic and values. Mom was active in the PTA and helping the kids to be active in sports, music, clubs, and Scouting. As Dad maintained his work in rabies vaccine research, the companies he worked for were bought and sold, causing the family to move from Nebraska to Wisconsin to Iowa to Minnesota and then back again to Iowa, where Don and Martha settled in retirement. They were active at 1st Congregational Church in Charles City and delivered Meals on Wheels together. Martha was also a “Pink Lady” volunteer at the Floyd County Medical Center and enjoyed 1st CC Women’s Fellowship and time with her Lunch Bunch, as well as her many pets and keeping her bird feeders filled at her house along the Cedar River. In 2019 she agreed to move back to Wisconsin to be closer to Pam and Pat, where 16 months later she succumbed to dementia. The family would like to thank the staff at Heritage Senior Living, Synergy Home Care, and Allay Home & Hospice for the excellent care they provided to Mom.

A celebration of life will be held at 1st Congregational Church in Charles City at a date in the future. In lieu of flowers the family invites a donation to one of the following organizations in Mom’s name: 1st Congregational Church, 502 N. Jackson, Charles City, Iowa 50616; Charles City Meals on Wheels, PO Box 422, Charles City IA, 50616; PAWS Animal Shelter 303 Shaw Ave, Charles City IA 50616; or the Alzheimer’s Association www.alz.org.