Merle Ann Nieuwlandt

On September 10, 2022, Merle Ann Nieuwlandt, Age 86, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend too many, went peacefully to be with the Lord while surrounded by her family.Merle was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin to Arline and Milton Fitzgerald. She attended St. Mary’s Springs Academy in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Prior to her Senior year, in 1952, her family moved to California and she attended Sacred Heart of Mary School in Montebello. She met her future husband, Walter Terry Nieuwlandt, her senior year. Terry attended nearby Cantwell High School. They married in 1956 and, after living in South Bend, Indiana, and Whittier, La Habra and Santa Ana California, they settled in Placentia, California (1969-present).Merle and Terry raised six children. She was heavily involved in her children’s education and activities, volunteering at St. Joseph School in Placentia throughout their years of attendance, and volunteering with the girls’ softball teams among other activities. Memories of tent camping, road trips, ping pong tournaments and Merle’s love of Angels baseball are cherished by the family. She was blessed with many decades-long friendships. Bowling, pinochle nights and holiday parties were frequent activities shared with friends.Merle held many jobs over the years including long tenures at Anaheim Stadium where she worked in concessions and at California State University in Fullerton where she worked in admissions and scheduling. She loved time with family and making holidays special. Their home continues to be the hub for family celebrations and get-togethers.Merle is survived by her husband Terry, her six married children and their spouses - Mike (Pamela), Kathy Bergh (Steve), Jeanne Kooker (Wayne), Dan (Stephanie), Nancy Hernandez (Ed), and Julia Grenier (Andy) - 16 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. On the Fitzgerald side of her family, Merle is survived by her cousins Patrick, Paula and John, and preceded in death by her parents, her brother Bill, her Aunt Paula, her Uncle John (“Jack”), and cousin Phillip.Merle’s funeral will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 717 N. Bradford Avenue, Placentia, on Saturday, September 24, at 12:00. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Los Angeles Mission (losangelesmission.org) or St. Joseph Catholic Church.