Merna was an amazing mother and home keeper – the ANCHOR of her family.

Merna grew up in both Lethbridge and Vermilion, AB. When she was young, Merna wanted to be a dancer and was a cheerleader at school sporting events. As she grew older, while taking a secretary course and working a couple of odd jobs, her main aspiration was to become a loving mother and home keeper. On September 2, 1967, she married her husband and lifelong partner Russ in Lethbridge. The whole nation was celebrating!! (It was Canada’s Centennial).

Building their life together, Russ and Merna’s first homes were in Edmonton and St. Albert, AB where her three children; Stephen, Joelle and Sherri were born (all boys except for two!). Although Merna worked from time to time, her first passion and total focus was to be the best mother for her children each day and to share her Christian faith with them. Her other passion was home decorating, and she made each house the family lived in a beautiful retreat of comfort and love.

In 1981 Merna and her family moved to Calgary where she lived until this year. As each of her children grew up and married - Stephen to Corinne Siemens, Joelle to Drew Persram, and Sherri to Travis Patzer - the expanding family continued to be her primary focus. Becoming a grandmother to five granddaughters; Kayle, Mckenna, and Ellerie (born to Stephen and Corinne), and Danica and Riley (born to Sherri and Travis), Merna ensured that every family occasion was a celebration, especially Christmas as she tried to make it a lasting remembrance.

Merna’s passing came very suddenly on March 4, 2026, after contracting a very aggressive lung cancer. In the final 3 weeks of her life, her health unfortunately deteriorated quickly. She was surrounded daily, however, by many of her family members, who provided the same comfort and support to her in those final weeks that she provided to them throughout her life. Merna is loved deeply, and will be missed greatly by her family, friends, and so many others. Her family would also like to give a very special thank you to the Doctors and Staff of Foothills Hospital, particularly unit 61, who provided exceptional, professional and attentive care in her last days and hours. What an amazing Health care system we have in Alberta!

A Celebration of Life will take place on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 1:00 pm, at RockPointe Church - Bowridge (12 Bowridge Dr NW, Calgary, AB).  In lieu of flowers, gifts in Merna’s honor may be made to Samaritan’s Purse.