Jeralyn M. Merritt

Jeralyn M. Merritt, 73, of Linn, KS, and formerly of Hays, KS, died October 22, 2016 at the Linn Nursing Home. Visitation was Monday, October 24, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Ward Funeral Home in Linn. The family received friends from 5 to 7 p.m. A funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 25 at Zion Lutheran Church in Linn. Rev. David Gruoner officiated. Eunice Beier played the organ while the congregation sang "What a Friend We Have In Jesus", "The Lamb", and "How Great Thou Art". The pallbearers were Nate Merritt, Blake Merritt, Austin Winter, Shayne Albert, Dalton Ganoung, and Jayce Ganoung. Burial was in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Linn. Jeralyn was born April 19, 1943 at Clay Center, KS, daughter of Ervin and Martha (Peters) Boerger. She attended Zion Lutheran School and in 1961 graduated from Linn High School. On July 28, 1961 she married Richard Merritt at Zion Lutheran Church. In 1973, they moved to Hays where she was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church. In 1999, she returned to Linn. Jeralyn enjoyed babysitting, delivering Meals on Wheels, sewing, crocheting, embroidery, quilting, cooking, baking, playing the organ, mowing the lawn, playing cards, and spending time with family and friends. Survivors include her children, Vicki (Mike) Jones, Plainville, KS, Gary Merritt, Lincoln, NE, Keith Merritt, Colorado Springs, CO, Scott (Amber) Merritt, Omaha, NE, and Karen (Sherwin) Pestka, Meridian, ID; former husband, Richard; sister, Shirley (Don) Winter, Linn; twelve grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents. Memorials have been established to Linn Nursing Home or Zion Lutheran Church. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home, 115 W 2nd, Washington, KS 66968. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jeralyn M. Merritt, please visit our flower store.