Elvera Merren

Mrs. Elvera A. Merren, age 89, of Greenville, passed away Thursday afternoon, April 22, 2010 under the loving care of her family, Spectrum Health Hospice, and the staff of Green Acres Assisted Living. The daughter of Hans Christian & Anna Katherine (Jensen) Hansen, she was born on March 29, 1921 in Greenville. On May 25, 1940, in Greenville, Elvera married David R. Merren, Sr. She and Dave were married for 64 years and were members of St. Charles Catholic Church. Elvera's family will always remember her as an innately kind and generous person, a wonderful cook, creative, and playful. As a child she often entertained others with plays she and her friends created and her exceptional acrobatics. She always had a precious place in her heart for her twin sister, Elveda. As a young woman she did local modeling and her style and beauty were a real inspiration to many. Elvera enjoyed writing poetry, decorating, and other creative activities and delighted in receiving gifts... her face lighting up like a child's on Christmas. She loved children and animals and had a special place in her heart for her dog, Shadow. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, David R. Merren, Sr. on Sept. 16, 2004; two brothers, J.B. Hansen and Clifford Hansen; three sisters, Elveda Virginia Hansen (her twin), Gladys Sass, and Lenora Shank; a great grandson, Nicholas Robert Hollenbeck; and a grandson-in-law, Kyle Boss. Surviving are her children, Loy & Bob Hollenbeck and Randy & Mary Merren, Larke & Mike Winegard, all of Greenville, and Nevin Horn of Kentwood; ten grandchildren and their families, Bret & Lorie Hollenbeck, Bart Hollenbeck, Blake & Shirley Hollenbeck, Trevor Merren, Traci & Jeremy Lawrence, Adriane & Dr. Shawn Ruth, Ben & Cortne Winegard, Bo Winegard, Destiny & Ryan Gorby, and Whitney Boss and her fiance Hanson Hackbardt; fifteen great grandchildren; a very special sister-in-law, Kate Hansen of Greenville; a dear sister-in-law, Francis Merren of Greenville; dear cousins, Bruce & Sally Merren of Greenville; devoted friends, Bob & Delores Rich of Belding; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 26, 2010 at St. Charles Catholic Church, Greenville, where the family will receive relatives and friends from 10-11 a.m. Father Phil Salmonowicz will preside and the Rite of Committal will follow at St. Charles Catholic Cemetery. For those wishing to make a contribution in Elvera's memory, the family suggests Spectrum Health Hospice... which helps so many people. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Elvera Merren, please visit our flower store.