Merlin Irene Youso - 94

Foley, MN

February 6, 1917 - November 13, 2011

Mass of Christian Burial celebrating the life of Merlin Irene Youso age 94 will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, November 17, 2011 at St. John's Catholic Church, Foley, MN. The Rev. Daniel Walz will officiate. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Merlin died peacefully surrounded by her family Sunday, November 13, 2011 at the St. Benedict's Senior Community, St. Cloud, MN.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 Wednesday at the Foley Funeral Home in Foley, MN and one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Thursday. Parish prayers will be at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Arrangements were made by the Foley Funeral Home, Foley, MN.

Merlin Youso was born February 6, 1917, in Glendorado Township, Benton Co., MN to Louis and Victoria (Dziuk) Henry. She married George Youso on January 4, 1937, at St. John's Catholic Church. The couple lived and farmed in Benton County before moving to Foley. A mother to seven children, Merlin was also involved in community service activities over the years. She was a member of St. John's Catholic Church, a 4-H leader, as well as a twenty-nine year member of the Foley Garden Club and belonged to the Foley Adventurous Homemakers Club and the Minnesota Horticultural Society. Merlin was a member of the Benton County Historical Society, and was one of the recipients of the historical society's Women in History Award in 2010. Her career life included working at various Foley businesses including, Abe's Produce, Fischer's Produce and the Rexall Drug. She retired in 1985 after nineteen years as a school cook at the Foley Elementary School. Merlin especially enjoyed gardening and was generous in sharing her plants and horticultural knowledge to others. A special talent was her sewing, and she created many handmade gifts and quilts. She enjoyed being with her family and was able to share several travel experiences with them.

She is survived by her son and daughters; Harold (Delores) Youso, Sandstone, MN; Mary Lou Dugdale, St. Anthony, MN; Marge (Bill) Erickson, Becker, MN; Caryl Walters, Foley, MN; Connie (Clyde) Lewandowski,  St. Cloud, MN; Dianne (Bob) O'Connell, Burnsville, MN; and her twenty-one grandchildren; several great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Judy in 1949, her husband, George, 1974, grandson, Dale Youso; sister, Delores Dierkes and brothers, Bill and Harvey Henry. A special thank you to the staff at St. Benedict's Senior Community for their kind care. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to the building project at St. John's Catholic Church in Foley.