A Celebration of Life will be held at the Smeaton Recreation Centre 205 2nd St. W. Smeaton, SK on  Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at 2:00 pm

Memorial donations may be made to Smeaton Rec Centre *cheques payable to Village of Smeaton* Box 70 Smeaton, SK S0J 2J0 Or North of 54 Frontline Dog Rescue *cheques made payable to Gayle Yungwirth* 348 Queen Street  Flin Flon, MB R8A 0M5 Etransfer: gyungwirth60@gmail.com

To send online condolences please visit www.coventryfuneralservices.ca. The family placed their trust with Coventry Funeral Services, Nipawin, SK (306)862-4233.

It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend who passed away on July 22, 2025, at the age of 76.

Merle was born on March 9, 1949, in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. She was the fifth child born to Bill and Daisy Grunerud and grew up north of Snowden on the family farm. After leaving home, she moved to Saskatoon where she began working at A&W.

In 1967, Merle and Lanny were married in a small ceremony at the United Church in Saskatoon. Shortly after they were married, they moved to Yellowknife and welcomed their first daughter, Tracy May into the family. Four years later, in 1972, their family grew with the addition of their second daughter, Tina Ray. After moving back to Smeaton, they had their first son, Aaron Lance, in 1975.

Her love of children continued throughout her entire life as she was a foster parent that cared for many children right up until last year. In 1998 she met two boys, Christopher (age 3) and Steven (18 months old), who she fell in love with and went on to adopt in 2009. In 2011, her family finally became complete with the addition of 5 year old twin boys, Cole and Connor.

She was well known in the community for countless hours spent volunteering at various events such as fall suppers, craft fairs, and sports days. The majority of her volunteering took place at the Smeaton Rec Center alongside her family.

Merle will be deeply missed by her daughters Tracy (Carman), Tina (Dale), and sons Aaron (Jennifer), Christopher (Trin), Steven, Cole, and Connor. Her grandchildren, Christina (Chad), Connor (Mykenzie), Justin (Klai), Alex (Thomas), Ryan (Chana), Alea, Grace (Mitchell), and Lily. Her great grandchildren Nataliya, Paisley, and Lincoln. Her siblings Ben (Brenda), Carol, Murray, Cheryl, and Wilma (Ted). Brothers in law, Jim (Darlene) and Terry (Esther), as well as numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Merle was predeceased by her husband Lanny, her parents Bill and Daisy (née Dowson) Grunerud, her mother in law and father in law Donelda and Alfred Chamberlain, her brothers Ed and Ray Grunerud, sisters Janice Cole and Gen Beaudoin, son in law Greg Butterfield, sister in law Buela Chamberlain, brothers in law Rick Sotheran and Norm Cole, and nephew Collin Chamberlain.

• Date : 2025-07-22
• Location : Smeaton