Merle Unkrich

Thinking of Merle and his family today. Merle was my father´s very close friend. (G.A.Elliott). They met at Iowa Wesleyan College, went to work at a sawmill in Oregon for a summer and became lifelong friends. They loved to travel and talk about the stock market, among other things. Merle (and Betty) were always a part of our lives. I remember when they adopted Micki and Amy from Korea. I was thrilled! They came weekly for piano lessons! We used to go to their home for family dinners as kids....

I knew Merle briefly and took pictures of him and his son Wally. I got to talk to him about his wife Betty and his family. He had a full life but could not accept the loss of Betty. I got to make him a book of pictures that he had stored on his phone of Betty and his kids! He shared a great deal of knowledge about farming with me. I will always remember his smile and his pride of his accomplishments! Reminder that years don´t bring happiness but memories of those we love is what matters.