Merla May Williams arrived in the world to Thelma Isabell Wellington & Vernon Thomas Williams on April 20, 1936. She had three siblings - Delsa, Glen and Lauren. She lived in Salem and the family moved to Rexburg when she was a child. Glen passed away from pneumonia at the age of 12.

Merla graduated high school, and at the age of eighteen she met Ned McMinn on a blind date set up by her friend. They married on December 8, 1954 in the Rexburg hospital after being in a car accident the evening before. They were married for 29 years.

Merla spent her first married years helping on the farm that Ned's parents owned in Egin Bench, Idaho, as well as Sand Creek. During the winter stays in Sand Creek, she would have to chop a hole through the ice in the lake in order to haul water to cook, clean and bathe with. She and Ned used cross country skis to get around. Ned trapped & sold furs, which Merla helped with. It was a hard life. During their stay in Egin, they lived in a little shack behind Ned's mother, Sarah's, house where they raised sheep. When Sarah passed in 1973, they moved into her house where Merla resided until this year. On January 24, 1963, they had a little girl, Debra. She helped on the farm from a young age and brought them great joy for 13 years before she died unexpectedly on December 3, 1976.

Merla had two dogs, Tiny and Radar (who was blind) for a number of years, as well as two birds and a number of cats. She loved animals and spoiled them. Ned's nephew, Jerry, his wife Donnie and their four girls – Regina, Julie, Jerri (Tiger) and Geneva (Bear) - spent many happy moments together with "Mers". They spent some summers at Sand Creek, farming. Donnie and the girls loved playing cards with her, working on puzzles, baking, and singing while Mers played the piano. They have fond memories of birthday parties, easter egg hunts, playing basketball and even a game of baseball. Ned had terrible arthritis and some other health issues. Mers took care of him until he died in February 12, 1983.

Merla spoiled the girls and treated them like her own. After Jerry and Donnie divorced, he and Merla relied on each other's help and they loved planting big gardens every year. Bear lived at the house with Merla on and off for a few years while she attended school & helped out with all the fun chores. They went on bike rides & Merla taught her the piano. Merla was independent and walked almost every day. She always kept a fire going and was still helping split wood into her 80's. Although she loved Pepsi and ice cream (not chocolate!), she kept a trim figure & was an anomaly because her hair never did turn white. The girls were blessed to have both a mom – Donnie – and a "Mers". Mers shared in nearly every occasion and milestone. She was part of the girls' lives to the very end.

In January 2021, Merla suffered a small heart attack and fell while outside. She was a unique individual – tough and ornery, but also sweet, with a sense of humor. She ended up living at Sage Grove in Rigby for the last three weeks of her life and passed on April 5, 2021.

Merla was preceded in death by her parents – Vernon and Thelma, her brother Glen Williams, sister Delsa Perrenoud, husband Ned, daughter Debra and nephew Jerry McMinn. She is survived by her brother Lauren (Shirlene) Williams, nephews Troy Williams and LaVar Perrenoud and nieces Regina Hull, Julie Borron, Jerri McMinn and Geneva Webster.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you and sincere gratitude to those neighbors, friends and caregivers- including Visiting Angels and Sage Grove, who helped Merla and brightened her days through acts of kindness. The family will have an open house at Merla's on Saturday, April 10th between 1 and 3 p.m. All are welcome to stop by.