Wilma Lucritca Smith Meracle

Published 12:08 am Thursday, September 18, 2014

Nov. 17, 1920 – Sept. 5, 2014

Wilma Lucritca Meracle, a Bend resident, passed away September 5, 2014. A grave side service will held in Wilmas honor at Mt. Jefferson Memorial Park in Madras on Friday, September 12 at 1:30 p.m.

Wilma was born November 17. 1920, the eldest daughter of Marvin Smith and Ruth Clarr Smith. Wilma was born and raised on a farm in Phillipsburg, Kansas. Wilma spent her childhood and young adult years on the family homestead. Wilmas mother passed away in 1924, her grandparents were her primary caregivers after her mothers passing.

Wilma was united in marriage to Johnnie Meracle of Phillipsburg, Kansas, July 31, 1940. Wilma and Johnnie made their home in Holdrege, Nebraska for two years and then relocated to Oregon in 1942. After living in Forest Grove and Hillsboro, they made their family home in Madras, Oregon in 1951. After the passing of her husband, Wilma relocated to Bend, Oregon to be closer to family.

One of Wilmas favorite hobbies was cooking for family and friends. She was able to fulfill this passion in her work employed as a cook for 15 years. She then was employed with U.&I. Corporation where she worked for 10 years and retired in 1983.

Community involvement was very important to Wilma. She was a member of the Rebekah Lodge #229 and belonged to the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. Wilma volunteered many hours with the Senior Center of Bend as well as being an active participant in the many wonderful offerings through the Senior Center.

Wilma was passionate about cooking and baking for others and was always gifting her wonderful baked goods to family and friends. Wilma had a gift and talent for sewing and quilting. Family and friends will fondly remember her through the beautiful sewn gifts and quilts she made for them. Wilma became a Christian in June of 1970 and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Madras, Oregon.

Wilma was a loving and devoted wife and mother and nothing in the world was more important to her than family.

Wilma is survived by her grandson, Donald Barbour and granddaughter, Julie Allen, great-granddaughter, Jessica Steimer and her husband, Eric Steimer; her great-great- grandsons, Easton Steimer and Madden Steimer, her brother, Larry Smith and sister, Lorraine Humes.

Wilma was preceded in death by her husband, Johnnie Meracle, her father, Marvin and her mother, Ruth, her brother, Wayne Smith, and her sisters, Genevieve Bohl and Charlene Rodrigues, her daughter, Doris Mae Lengele, and her granddaughter, Deborah Sue Barbour.

Memorial contributions may be made in Wilmas name to the Ladies Auxiliary of Veterans of Foreign War, Post 1643, 1503 NE 4th St, Bend, OR 97701.

Deschutes Memorial Chapel is honored to be entrusted with Wilmas arrangements.

Wilma Meracle