Della Fairchild Merrill Obituary (1920 - 2008)

Della Gertrude Matteson was born February 9, 1920, on a farm near Lamont, Iowa, the daughter of Mortimer Harden and Grace Mae Durfey Matteson. The family lived on various farms in Buchanan County until moving to a farm near Quasqueton, Iowa. She graduated from Quasqueton High School with the class of 1937. Della was united in marriage to Delmar Fairchild on December 16, 1939, at Quasqueton. To this union were born three children: Terry, Douglas, and Janet. After living on a farm south of Quasqueton for five years, they moved to a farm one half mile south of Winthrop, Iowa, in 1944. They started the family business, Fairchild Feed and Supply, on July 14, 1958. In September 1960, their family moved to Winthrop. Delmar died on March 25, 1968. Della continued to work with her son, Terry, until retiring in 1989. Della was united in marriage to Byron Merrill on June 14, 1969 at the Church of Christ United in Winthrop. After 37 years of living in Winthrop, they moved to Prairie Hills Assisted Living in Independence, Iowa, in the spring of 2006. Della was a member of the Church of Christ United in Winthrop, the Women's Fellowship, the Winthrop American Legion Auxiliary, a past member of the Winthrop C & C Club, and the Peoples' Hospital Auxiliary. She was an avid sports fan, following her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren through the years as they played baseball, softball, basketball, volleyball, football, and wrestling. Confirming they were loyal supporters, Byron and Della were honored as Fans of the Year by the East Buchanan Athletic Boosters. She will always be remembered for her traditional Christmas celebrations, sewing quilt square pillows, and as a proud and loving family matriarch. Della Merrill, at the age of 88, entered into her eternal rest on Friday, August 29, 2008, at the Buchanan County Health Center in Independence. She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Delmar Fairchild; her three brothers: Rex Matteson, Clifford Matteson, and Donald Matteson; and her two sisters: Hildred Matteson and Hazel Polk. Survivors include her husband, Byron Merrill of Independence; her two sons: Terry (Sharon) Fairchild of Winthrop and Douglas (Kay) Fairchild of Sebring, FL; her daughter Janet (Rick) Higgins of Winthrop; seven grandchildren: Tammy Cherry, Tim Fairchild, Mark Fairchild, Jason Fairchild, Jordan Fairchild, Rachel Higgins, and Keith Higgins; ten great grandchildren; and other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, September 2, 2008, at the Church of Christ United in Winthrop with Pastor Dean Schlitter officiating. Music will be provided by Anita Bowden, Sharon Fairchild, and Marqui Fairchild. Casketbearers will be her seven grandchildren. Inurnment will be in the Quasqueton Cemetery at Quasqueton, Iowa. Friends may call from 3 PM until 5 PM on Monday, Sept. 1, 2008, at the Fawcett Funeral Home in Winthrop and after 10 AM on Tuesday at the Church.A memorial fund has been established. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.fawcettsfuneralhome.com under obituaries.