Evelyn Merrill

Evelyn M. Merrill, age 97, of Faribault, passed away on Thursday, April 22, 2010 at the Pleasant Manor Nursing Home in Faribault.   Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Faribault. Interment will be at the St. Lawrence Cemetery in Faribault.   Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. at the church.   Arrangements are with the Parker Kohl Funeral Home of Faribault.   Evelyn Margaret Giever was the first born of four daughters to Henry and Lena (Becker) Giever on June 11, 1912 in Woodstock, MN. When Evelyn was age 10, her mother died of a sudden illness. Evelyn then helped her father raise her three sisters. After living on a farm near Medford, Ev and her family relocated to Faribault. Evelyn attended Bethlehem Academy graduating in 1930. After a one-year course in the Normal School Training program, she taught eight grade levels in a one room country school in Rice County from 1932 - 1938. During that time she also met Lawrence (Abe) Merrill. They were united in marriage on June 7, 1938 at the St. Lawrence Church. They lived most of their lives in Faribault. Together for 56 years, they had five children, several local business ventures, and many, many friends. Ev was then a full time wife, mother, hostess, committee member and homemaker. She was active in the CCW, Daughters of Isabella, St. Lawrence Church and its festival, and in the Bethlehem Academy calendar of events.   She's living in eternal happiness on the playground of heaven.   She is survived by five children, Jeanne (Bill) Burnison of Tucson, AZ, Richard (Kathy) Merrill of Indianapolis, IN, Tom (Danny) Merrill, Eileen (George) Voracek, and Karen (Kevin) Molloy, all of Faribault; 9 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.   She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Lawrence in 1994; three sisters, Rose Kulisek, Beatrice Giever, and Irene Simonson; and great grandson, Benjamin Voracek.   Memorials may be directed to Divine Mercy Catholic Church, Bethlehem Academy, or Faribault Area Hospice in memory of Evelyn.