Stena Merrill

Stena Merrill - Stena Robbins Merrill (Warren) died at age 106 on October 3, 2012, in Petaluma, California. Stena was born December 7, 1905, in Fillmore, Utah. However, she lived for more than fifty years in Pocatello, Idaho, which she always considered home. For the past ten years, she lived with her son Charles and his wife Gay in Petaluma, California, but she missed the "cool mountain breezes""" of Pocatello. Stena's parents Charles Josiah Warren and Christina Virginia Anderson died when she was a baby, and she was raised by her grandmother Hannah Anderson; however, she always said that she was brought up by her aunties: Zina, Katherine, Sarah, Geneva and Mabel Anderson. "" Stena's generosity was evident in many ways. When her niece Koye Nielson was in school and needed a home, Stena was happy to share hers. Stena was active in the community through her work with the Rebekahs. She served as Nobel Grand and travelled with her women friends and colleagues throughout the state. In her later years, Stena married Rufus Merrill who also preceded her in death. It was a particular pleasure to Stena that Rufus's children loved her, and she became part of his extended family. Stena's daughter-in-law, Joan Merrill, made Stena's last years in Pocatello a joy: they laughed together like young girls, and Joan was always ready to share a grandchild, a story, or a sorrow. When Stena married Rufus in the mid-seventies, her life took on a new spirit of adventure. They, along with their two best friends, Dale and Stella Duncan, travelled around the country attending NCAA basketball games. They were devoted fans of the Idaho State University Bengals. They were lucky enough to procure the coveted tickets for the Final Four NCAA games several years in a row and visited New Orleans, Atlanta, and Washington. At Our House Residential Care Home, where she lived for the past three years, Stena enjoyed friendships with Bea Phillips, Linda Malicki, and Wanda Abel. Also dedicated owner Mary King and her staff created a nurturing environment for Stena. Stena always insisted on using a walker and participating in exercise classes. She gave thanks for assistance, and never complained. This made her a favorite of everyone. Stena is survived by her son Charles, his wife Gay, and their son, Jeff; Jeffâ??s wife Sharre and their two sons Brian Patrick and John Charles; her daughter-in-law Pat Robbins and her sons, Michael, his wife Allison and their daughter Alexandra, and Robert and his son Sean; her son-in-law Gene Garland; her niece Susan Krantz and her husband Lynn; her niece Nancy Robbins and her children; her niece Koye Nielson and her husband Dean and their children and grandchildren; Ralph and Joan Merrill their children and grandchildren, and Paul and RaeAnn Merrill and their children and grandchildren. The funeral will take place in Pocatello on Saturday, October 20th, at Cornelison Funeral Home, 431 N 15th Avenue; at 11:00.am. Visitation will be at 10:00 am. The 106 years of Stena's life saw the world change in unimaginable ways: she remembered the first car that arrived in Filllmore and Rudolph Valentino coming to town. On the day of her thirty-fifth birthday, December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor was bombed, and, as a result, her son Boyd joined the U.S. Navy. Stena was invariably described as sweet. She was sweet, but she was so much more: she was smart and strong and a survivor. She survived the deaths of two husbands, two children, countless friends, and never felt sorry for herself.