Preceded in death by husbands, Kenneth L. Pickering, and Dale T. Harvat; son, Kenneth L. Pickering Jr.; special friend, Lee Davis; 8 siblings. Survived by husband, Norman Ulrich; children, Mark (Lynn) Pickering, Joy L. (Mark) O’Kane, and Ann M. (Todd) Workman; stepchildren Linda Marie (Steve) Millwood, LouAnn Swinn, Sue Harvat, Rick Harvat, Tom (Michele) Harvat, Joe (Michelle) Harvat, and Pam Harvat; grandchildren, Ricky (Melissa) Anderson, Amanda (Travis) Rowher, Madeline O’Kane, Hanna (Tim) Vogel, and Lillian O’Kane; step grandchildren, Brooke (Travis) Good, and Brianna Ostronic; step great-grandchild, Lily Good; sister, Earlene (Hank) Sterba; and many nieces and nephews.
Merlyn was born in Omaha, NE to Adolph Arnold and Anna Bertha Loeske Kumpf. She was the second youngest of 10 children (listed oldest to youngest): Raymond Lorenz, Katherine Marie, Robert A., Lola Bertha, Betty Jean, Virginia May, Charles Harvey, Earlene Mae, Merlyn Joy, and Roger Leigh.
When she wasn’t in school or studying the bible, she was helping with duties on the farm where they lived near 72nd and Harrison. Adolph passed away in 1951, when Merlyn was 14. Her mother, Anna, passed away in 1985.
As the one remaining child at home with her mother Anna, Merlyn attended cosmetology school. Blossoming into a top cosmetologist in Omaha, her career spanned nearly six decades. For over 20 years, she worked at the popular Marco’s Salon on 72nd and Dodge. She later worked at Garbo’s and Design of the Times. She officially retired from the Arboretum Village Salon around 2015. She found pure joy in her work, where her clients were her best friends. To them, she was much more than a stylist. Months before her passing, Merlyn still talked about how much she missed her work.
Merlyn married Kenny Pickering in 1959 and they had 4 children. Their second son (Kenneth Jr.) died shortly after birth. They were divorced in 1977 and she married Dale Harvat in 1985. Dale passed away in 2003 from lung cancer. Merlyn married Norman Ulrich in 2012.
Merlyn loved her family compassionately. She spent every free minute with her grandchildren. She was determined to introduce them to every adventure, including: long walks, city bus rides, museums, parks, carnivals, pools, the zoo, painting, knitting. Often, the agenda was to just explore nature: ants, worms, and dirty hands.
While working full-time, she helped her kids and grandkids with whatever was needed. She would take grandkids, do someone's chores, or sit and talk if needed. She never missed a school event, performance, game, or activity. Her energy was limitless and her love was boundless.
Merlyn’s Christian faith was strong throughout her life. She worked hard, loved deeply, shared her blessings, treated others with kindness, and truly appreciated every day she was given.
VISITATION: Friday, March 25, 4-8pm at Westlawn-Hillcrest 5701 Center St. Omaha.
FUNERAL SERVICE: Saturday, March 26 at 11am at Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church 2650 Farnam St. Omaha.
Memorials are suggested to Kountze Memorial or Alzheimer’s Association.
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