Merle Lucile Bryant

Merle Lucile Bryant, 93, of Blackduck , Minn., formerly of Duluth, passed away Tuesday, June 3, 2008 at the Good Samaritan Center in Blackduck, Minn. Merle was born Dec. 21, 1914 in Tenstrike, Minn., the daughter of George Burman and Pearl Catherine (Shafer) Bryant. She attended Tenstrike Elementary School, graduated in 1932 as Salutatorian at Bemidji High School. As a lifelong educator she continued her education throughout her working life. She received her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Bemidji State College in 1946. She received her graduate degree from the University of Minnesota, Duluth. She continued her graduate work in Education at the U of M Minneapolis, and at Boston University where she also studied in Europe in the early 1950s and did research in Children's Literature in England in 1974. She began teaching in a rural school setting at Bass Lake School in Bemidji. She served as an elementary teacher at Washington School in Thief River Falls, Whittier School in Austin, and Congdon Park School in Duluth. She spent more than 25 years on the University of Minnesota, Duluth faculty. She worked with the University Laboratory School as an instructor and supervisor of student teaching, and as an assistant professor of elementary education until her retirement in 1978. She then worked as professor emeritus at UMD. She received many honors and awards in her life time for her work as an educator. She was listed in Who's Who of American Women, Who's Who in the Midwest, Dictionary of International Biography, PI Lambda Theta and Delta Kappa Gamma. She held many offices in professional organizations including extensive work in the local and state levels of the M.E.A. and Delta Kappa Gamma. She was appointed to and was chairperson to many UMD administrative and college of education committees over her tenure. She had also been a member of the N.E.A., Chisholm Museum Board, Arrowhead Reading Council, Minnesota Reading Association, International Reading Association, American Association of University Professors. She was active with the Avon Glen Presbyterian Church in Duluth for many years serving as an elder on session, Sunday school teacher and a circle member. She had many speaking engagements, did active community service, and was a published journal author. She traveled extensively both abroad to many countries and at home throughout the United States in her lifetime. She enjoyed Traveling, Skiing, Reading, Theatre, Photography, bird watching, and serving as docent for special groups at Glensheen. She is survived by her brother, Neil (Bev) Bryant of Tenstrike, Minn.; three nieces, Shelley (Larry) Hutchins of Loretto, Minn., Kay (Don) Foust of Kailua, HI, and Debra (Les) Ayers of Canton, Ga.; and a nephew, David (Karen) Larsen of Kailua, HI. She was preceded by her parents; and three sisters, Vada Larsen, Lenore Bryant, and Rozalia Landis. MEMORIAL SERVICE:10 a.m. on Monday, June 16, 2008 in the Cease Funeral Home Chapel in Blackduck, with the Rev. Ray Klug officiating. Burial of cremains will be at the Lakeview Cemetery in Blackduck, Minnesota. Cease Family Funeral Home of Blackduck assisted the family with arrangements. Memorial are preferred to the Avon Glen Presbyterian Church of Duluth or The Salvation Army. Messages of condolence may be sent to ceasefuneralhome.com


This obituary was originally published in the Duluth News Tribune.