Alma Fay Merk

Alma Fay Merk passed away on Friday, March 25, 2011. She was 88 years old. Alma was born and raised in Whatcom County and it remained very dear to her throughout her life. She spent 64 years in California, both in Compton and Norwalk, and came to love her home there as well. Alma was known for her joy of life, loving a good joke, her warmth, her tenacity and her strength. Her warmth extended to everyone; she took care of family, friends, neighbors and strangers alike. She was a woman of faith in Christ, enabling her to undertake difficult tasks with a special courage. She enjoyed cooking, cake decorating, gardening and sewing. She especially loved teaching Sunday School at her beloved Church of the Nazarene. Her speciality was third grade and she taught for over 40 years. Numerous students have attested to the fact that through her time given to them in service, they came to know the Lord. Alma was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Francis Merk, and her brothers, Ivan Denson and Ira Denson. She will be greatly missed by her children, Doreen Merk and John (Sandra) Merk, and her grandchildren April Rios and Joshua-John Merk; brothers and sisters Iva Lazareff, Elmer (Lou) Denson, Vivian Burnett and Darrall (Karen) Dorland; and numerous nieces and nephews. A Viewing will be held Monday, April 4, 2011 at 10:30 AM at La Mirada Church of the Nazarene, 15575 Foster Rd., La Mirada, CA, followed by a Memorial Service at 11:00 AM at the church, with a lunch to follow. A Graveside Committal will be at 3:00 PM the same day, at Rose Hills Memorial Park, 3888 S. Workman Mill Rd., Whittier CA 90601. You may share your thoughts and memories of Alma at www.GoodStewardFunerals.org Arrangements are with Moles Good Steward Funerals, Lynden, WA.