Emma L. Merz

EMMA L. MERZ
1916 – 2012

Emma Merz entered her heavenly home on March 23rd, two weeks short of her 96th birthday. She was in hospice care for four days after suffering a stroke in her home in Thorndale, TX.

Emma Boehne Merz was born in Lockwood, MO, on April 7, 1916. In 1941 she married Edward W. Merz, a Lutheran teacher and church musician, and became mother to six children, all of whom were able to be at her bedside during her last days. Edward and Emma enjoyed 53 years of married life before his death in 1995. They lived in Missouri, Colorado, and Kansas before moving to Texas in 1967.

Those who knew Mrs. Merz often used the word “remarkable” to describe her. No one faced life with more determination, optimism, and gratitude. No one canned more tomatoes, crocheted more doilies, crafted more scrapbooks, baked more cinnamon rolls, clipped more articles about faith and music and marriage and birds. And certainly no one saved or recycled like Emma Merz did.

Age was never a deterrent for Mrs. Merz. She learned to ride a bicycle in her 60’s, taught herself to type in her 70’s, regularly whipped her kids in Scrabble games through her 80’s, gave piano lessons well into her 90’s, and was pulling carrots out of her garden just days before her passing.

Emma is survived by five sons—Ed (Georgia), Ted (Glenda), Ron (Caron), Paul (Wanda), Tim (Dolores), and one daughter, Ruth Lemire Neumann (Alan). She was blessed with eight grandchildren—Edward J. (Eun Jung), Micah (Ana), Nikolas (Kristin), and Jeremy Merz (Heather); Fred A. (Lori) and Dan (Amy) Lemire; Annie (Charles) Canosa and Tracy Holder, and step-granddaughter, Amber Rodriguez. Emma’s thirteen great-grandchildren are Eddie, Mia, Presley, Luke, and Cayson Merz; Nico and Zoe Canosa; Emma and twins Andrew and August Lemire; Kamryn, Kylar, and Hadley Holder.

Visitation has been scheduled for Friday, March 30th, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Providence Funeral Home, 807 Carlos Parker Blvd NW, Taylor, TX. The funeral service for Emma Merz will be held on Saturday, March 31st, at her home church, St. Paul Lutheran Church in Thorndale, TX, at 11:00 AM.

Memorials may be designated to The Lutheran Hour, American Bible Society, St. Paul Lutheran School in Thorndale, or the charity of your choice.

Emma’s family would like to express special appreciation to Odyssey Hospice, to the staff at SPJST Rest Home in Taylor, and to Rev. James Mann and Rev. Mel Swoyer for their excellent care and support.

Above all, Emma Merz was a woman of strong Christian faith. She loved the Lord with all her heart and soul and mind, and now she has the joy of being in His presence for all eternity. To God be the glory!