Phyllis A. Merrill

Phyllis A. Merrill, age 86, of Kearney, died July 1, 2024 at Mount Carmel Home Keens Memorial. William (Bill) Merrill, 61, of Kearney, died June 5, 2024 at his home in Kearney. A combined Memorial Services will be 10:30 am, Friday, September 27, 2024 at Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services. Inurnment will follow at the Kearney Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Kearney Area Animal Shelter. Phyllis Ann (Klapperich)Merrill was born February 1, 1938 in Redfield, South Dakota, the sixth of ten children born to Emil and Mary Klapperich. Phyllis grew up in Redfield and St. Lawrence, South Dakota, where she graduated from high school in 1956. Following high school she moved to Lincoln, NE where she was employed at Russell Stover candy. She met Ken Merrill, a student at UNL, and they were married in August, 1957. They became parents to Jean, Elizabeth, Bill and Jim. In 1976 they divorced and Phyllis moved to Kearney, NE. In Kearney she was employed at Kearney Junior High, Sehnert’s Bakery, and West Company. She retired from West Company in 2007 after 21 years of service. Phyllis loved meeting people and could strike up a conversation with anyone. She was an ardent Nebraska football and volleyball fan; enjoyed all genres of music, attended many concerts and loved to sing and dance. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her children and their families and friends, who all lovingly called her ‘Granny’. Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Jean Epley and husband Steve; Liz Schade and her husband Rick; son, Jim Merrill, all of Kearney; grandchildren, Mandi Reeder, Brooke Epley (Lacey), Cole Epley (Robyn), Jordan Epley (Paulina), Brandon Schade (Shana), Eric Schade (Heather) and Amber Schade; Joe Merrill (Amber) and Norman Merrill(Maryanne); 17 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren; brothers, Bob and wife Arlene Klapperich of Lincoln, NE, Mike and wife Mae Klapperich of Merritt Island, FL; many nieces, nephews, family and friends. Those eagerly awaiting her arrival in heaven were her parents, son, Bill; grandsons; Bradley Reeder and Dustin Epley; sisters, Delores, Ethel, Marj, JoAnn and Rosie; brothers Phillip and Donnie.

Tributes

Phyllis A. Merrill

February 1, 1938 - July 1, 2024