Lucine Gail Merlock

1930 - 2022

"Lu" as she was affectionately called, died at the age of 91 on Thursday morning, January 13,2022 in Spring, Texas. Suffering for many years with dementia.

Lu was born November 10, 1930 in Alexandria, South Dakota. She was the first born and first daughter to Alma and Raymond Kunkel. She graduated from Edgerton Consolidated High School in Farmer, South Dakota in 1948. She continued her education at St. Joseph's Unit in Mitchell, South Dakota where she graduated in 1951 with an LVN degree in nursing. She eventually moved to Colorado where she met and married Anthony "Tony" Merlock in 1958. After getting married, they moved to Texas where she became a fulltime mother to four children. She loved gardening, playing bridge, doing crossword puzzles and was an avid letter writer. Later in life, Lu and Tony loved to travel, mainly on cruise ships where they could see the world without having to change hotel sites.

She is preceded in death by her parents Alma and Raymond Kunkel and daughter in law Francine Merlock.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years Anthony Merlock; Son Timothy and his wife Maryanne Merlock; Son Patrick Merlock; Daughter Michelle and her husband Joey Gomez; and Daughter Laura and her husband Wes Lorenz; 7 grandchildren (A.J., Ryan, Jordan, Kate, Cameron, Sean, Mason); 2 great- grandchildren (Coraline, Camden). 2 sisters: Mrs. Norbert (Lois) Kayser, Mrs. Gib (Mary) Zeal; 2 brothers: Lloyd "Bud" Kunkel, Ronald "Ron" Kunkel (Gloria).

She will be laid to rest on Wednesday, February 2, 2022. There will be a family burial only, at Houston's Veteran Memorial Cemetery at 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr. Houston, Tx. 77038.

We would like to express our thanks to Mossy Oaks Retreat Assisted Living and her hospice nurse, Marla, for the wonderful help and care of our mother. If desired, friends can make a memorial contribution in Lucine Merlock's name to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org/donate.