Thelma Merkley

Thelma Faye Ivie Merkley Our dear grandmother, mother and loving head of our family returned to her Heavenly Father on the March 28, 2017 after enduring a lengthy season with Alzheimers disease.
Thelma was born in Strawberry on the April 15, 1924 just hours after her twin brother Verl(Jake) the 9th and 10th of the 13 children of Clarence and Tessie May Rasmussen Ivie. Jake always told her that he was born first because she kicked him out and had been kicking him around ever since.
Thelma spent her childhood with her siblings and family living in Strawberry in an area that is now a portion of Starvation Reservoir. She often shared fond memories of those experiences and had a deep love for her parents and siblings. In 1939 Thelma married Alden Thomas and they were blessed with one Son Tommy A. Thomas in 1946. They were later divorced and in 1955 Thelma met and married Harold Merkley and moved to Vernal where they were blessed with one son Michael H Merkley. Michael passed away in 1956 after living four short months and always held a very large portion of his mothers heart.
Thelma was blessed with the gift and quality of loving everyone she had the privilege of coming in contact with. She always said that those who were the hardest to love were the ones that needed it most; this allowed her to be a tremendous influence to others and she touched the lives of many. Thelma never knew a stranger and everyone who had the privilege of entering her home left happy, well fed and forever impacted by the impressions that she made on them. Nieces and nephews had the privilege of living in her home for brief periods of time and each stated that life couldn’t possibly get any better than living with Aunt Thelma. In addition to raising her son Tommy, Thelma also finished raising her three grandchildren; and the impact and impressions that she made on them will forever be deeply appreciated and will never be forgotten.
In addition to her family, Thelma had a deep love for her Savior Jesus Christ and served him selflessly throughout her life. She was a faithful visiting teacher; and for nearly 35 years, Thelma faithfully taught primary and loved each and every one of her primary children, though some were well acquainted with her magic stick. In 1982 two years following Harold’s passing, Thelma had the privilege of serving a 12 month mission in Winnipeg Canada where she became affectionately known as Sister Grandma which was a title she was very proud of as she encouraged and comforted many young missionaries. The temple was very meaningful to Thelma and she served faithfully in the Vernal Temple as an ordinance worker from 1996 until 2007 where she made many friends and experienced much joy serving those who attended. She was truly angelic in appearance and in the manner that she treated others. She was often the life of the party, could make anyone laugh and was known for her wit and happy attitude that was truly constant and unchanging.
She is survived by her son Tommy (Jan) Thomas, three grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren
Preceded in death by her husband Harold M Merkley, son Michael H Merkley, parents Clarence and Tessie May Rasmussen Ivie and siblings, Earnest, Ralph, Tessie, Kenneth, Miriam, Glen, Melvin Jay, Harold Hyrum, Verl Ray, Leonard F, Delmore, and Carl Wintworth Ivie.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 3, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the Duchesne LDS Stake Center. Viewings will be held on Sunday evening from 6 - 8 p.m. at the Hullinger Mortuary and Monday at the church from 8:30 - 9:40.
Burial will be in the Vernal Memorial Park.
The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of the Uintah Care Center for their loving care and service to Gram.

Condolences may be shared at www.hullingermortuary.com