Evelyn Merritt

Rock Rapids, IA      Evelyn Merritt age 79 of Rock Rapids, IA died unexpectedly on May 29, 2018 at at her home in Rock Rapids, IA.      Private family service will be held with burial following at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids, IA.      Jurrens Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.      Evelyn Mildred Merritt was born September 7, 1938 in Denison, Iowa, the daughter of Ernest W. and Mildred L. (Laddehoff) Segebart. She was raised in Denison and graduated from Denison High School in 1956.      Evelyn was united in marriage to Lawrence “Larry” Merritt on September 18, 1956 at Carroll, IA. Larry’s career in the grocery business led them to live in several communities: Ida Grove IA, Sioux City IA, Spirit Lake IA, and Spencer IA.    It was in the late 1960’s in Spencer that Evelyn began working as a nurse’s aide part-time, then later as full time when her children got older. She enjoyed working with the elderly. Her belief was to treat and respect people the way she would have wanted them to treat her. This was especially true with the elderly and why she liked working in the nursing homes.    In 1972 they moved to Rock Rapids, IA where they remained the rest of their lives. While Larry owned and operated Super Valu grocery store, Evelyn worked as a nurse’s aide at Rock Rapids Health Center. She retired after 35 years of service.      Evelyn enjoyed ceramics, photography, collecting dolls, collecting and restoring old watches and antique clocks. She enjoyed the country life and had a deep compassion and love for animals. She loved and misses all of her dogs and a couple of special “kitties”. She enjoyed watching and feeding the rabbits, birds and squirrels in her rock garden every day.      On February 16, 2006 Evelyn’s husband of 48 years died.   She moved into their home in Rock Rapids where she remained until her death.      She is survived by two daughters, Kathy and husband, Dave of Spencer, IA and Cindy Ward of Sylva, NC; son, Dave Merritt of Rock Rapids, IA; four grandchildren, Doug Frederick of Spencer, IA, Brandi Merritt of Jacksonville, FL, Steve Dotson and his wife, Kayla of Sylva, NC and David Ward of Sylva, NC; five great-grandchildren, Jaylen, Nichole, Kayden, Ava and Sharon; three sisters, Dorothy Friedrichsen of Denison, IA, June Albrecht of Lompoc, CA and Ruby Friedrichsen of Denison, IA; two brothers, Bill Segebart of Dow City, IA and Charles Segebart of Schleswig, IA; many nieces, nephews and other extended family.      She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Mildred Segebart; husband Larry Merritt; a sister, Carol Meyer; and three brothers, Ernest Jr., Larry, and Jim.