Being raised on a large ranch at the base of the Little Bighorn Mountains near Kaycee, WY, Merle had the great privilege of attending a one-room school house through the eighth grade (a story she loved to share with her Grandchildren). She then left home on her own and worked for room and board while she attended high school in Casper, WY.
Merle worked hard to be able to attend the University of Wyoming at Laramie, obtaining her teaching credentials. She began her teaching career in one-room schoolhouses in rural Wyoming.
In 1953, Merle moved to Olympia, WA with her three little girls, to marry her long time friend, Daniel L Devoe. She taught school in the Olympia school district for more than 30 years and was a devoted and caring educator who had a wonderful knack for reading stories to her students with great gusto and inflection.
Merle loved serving others and volunteered countless hours helping in the community and in her church. She had great compassion towards those who were less fortunate and whose health was failing.
Merle and her beloved husband, Daniel Devoe, loved square-dancing, traveling in their RV, camping, gardening and spending time with family. She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years.
She is survived by daughters Leta (Jack) Harding, Fay McEvers, Theresa (Keith) Wheatley, son Dan (Judy) Devoe, 18 Grandchildren, 31 Great-grand children, and one Great-great-grandchild. She also leaves behind her two beloved sisters, Nona Kimball and Shirley Fraker.
Memorial services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3800 Henderson Blvd SE, Olympia, on Saturday, June 14, at 11:00AM. There will be a viewing at 10:00.
Arrangements under the direction of Mills & Mills Funeral Home and Memorial Park, Tumwater, WA.
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