Gaylord, MI- Mable L. Merrick, age 89 former Ishpeming/Negaunee resident passed away Tuesday, December 21, 2021, at Aspen Ridge Retirement Living in Gaylord while in the loving care of her family and Hospice of Michigan.

Mable was born July 13, 1932, in Ellendale, ND to the late Frederick and Belle (Stevens) Schaller.  She married Wayne Merrick on June 7, 1950, in Ellendale.

Mable loved her bridge groups and was an avid MahJong player.  She belonged to the Bethany Lutheran Church in Negaunee.

We were blessed with the most wonderful parents in the world. Mable was a phenomenal mother, creating lasting, loving memories for us all.  An incredible hostess, everyone was warmly welcomed to her table.  {Calling all stragglers and strangers!)

Mable was a top high school scholar, graduating at age 16.  Behind the scenes of retail, she possessed superb bookkeeping skills for the Ben Franklin and Merico Stores.

Our mother was a lovely, articulate lady.  She delighted in dressing up, dining out, and drinking her Manhattans!  We have fond memories of Thursday night club with Taylors, Pellows, and Hakalas.  Dinners with Henrietta and Dorothy were filled with laughter and fantastical stories.

Mable's lasting legacy is her family.  THE BEST GIFT…we love and adore each other.  Certain she is resting in the arms of her precious Wayne, Mable will be forever missed, forever loved.

Mable is survived by her six children; Loren (Joyce) Merrick, Jane (Jim) Hall, Steven (Denice) Merrick, Jan (John) Brennan, Jill (Robin) Merrick and Kelly (Pete) Vitti, three sisters; Esther Griffin, and Rosalie Weltz, twelve grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and dear friends; Henrietta Nardi, Dorothy Sivula and Ann Larson.  She was preceded in death by her husband Wayne Merrick, precious granddaughter Amy Merrick Proffitt and a sister Harriet.

Services for Mable will be held privately for the family.

Entombment will take place at Northland Chapel Gardens.

Memorials in memory of Mable may be directed to Hospice of Michigan which can be found at www.hom.org .

Mable's obituary may be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.