Henrietta Bertha THORESDAHL

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1925, Living with parents in Clinton Co., Iowa
• Census: 1930, Living with parents in Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois
• Census: 1940, Living with parents in Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois

Notes:

Name:
HENRIETTA "HARRIET" BERTHA MERLE (nee THORESDAHL)

Harriet Bertha Merle (nee Thoresdahl) age 91, passed away on October 19, 2014 at Peoria, Arizona, where she resided for the past 7 years. Born at home in Stanwood, Iowa, the 4th daughter of Bert and Hattie (nee Fellows) Thoresdahl, she was moved to Chicago in 1925 at the age of 2 years with her family. She attended Newberry Elementary and Waller High School in the Lincoln Park Neighborhood. Here she met and married Sebastian "Bud" Merle in 1941. They had 3 children and were married nearly 47 years when he died in 1988. A 49 year resident of Leyden Township, Illinois, she moved to Sun City, Arizona in 1994.

A devout Christian, she truly believed in her Savior, Jesus Christ. Harriet was active teaching Sunday School and a highly regarded member of the Church where she met Chris Long in 1999. They remained together until his passing in 2007.

Harriet had great respect for her elders and enjoyed their company at socials and family gatherings for all occasions. She was particularly fond of her 4 sisters, Eda Kimmons, Frances Hieatt-Carter, Bernice Gartner and Louise Bucaro. She was especially close to Eda, her oldest sister and Louise her younger sister.

Among the gifts she embraced and took pride in were her baking of cakes & cookies, and her skill of crocheting afghans for family members and others.

She is survived by her son Joseph Edward (Frances) and daughter Kathleen Rose (Clifford) Cornell. Among other survivors are Harriet's 6 grandchildren: Daniel Edward & Laura Ann Merle, Lynne Marie Virgin, Cherylyn (Robert) Dodson, Joy (Anthony) Carcione and Erik Christopher Cornell. Also 14 Great-grandchildren listed in order of age: Andrew Lawrence, Amanda June, Nicholas Edward, Kyle Edward, Jessica Lee, Jacob Eugene, Sebastian Anthony, Marisa Mae, Lillian Grace, Joshua Leslie, Harrison Benjamin, Eve Marie, Elle Elizabeth and Emma Hope. Also, 3 Sisters-in-Law: Magdalen Merle, Barbara Rose, Mary Ann Erickson and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, all 4 sisters and in 1955, her daughter Nancy Lynn to Leukemia.

A Memorial Service and the Interment took place on Monday, November 24th at 11am in the Chapel of Mount Emblem Cemetery, Elmhurst, Illinois located at the intersection of Grand Avenue and County Line Road. In lieu of flowers, donations to your own Church or favorite charity in Harriet's honor.

posted on Find a Grave created by Joseph Edward Merle

Henrietta married Sebastian Anton MERLE in 1941. Sebastian was born on 20 Dec 1921 in Romania; died on 18 Jul 1988 in Elmhurst, DuPage Co., Illinois; was buried in Mount Emblem Cemetery, Elmhurst, DuPage Co., Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]