Helene H. Merki, age 108, of Gladstone passed away early Monday morning, April, 12th, 2010 at the Christian Park Village in Escanaba where she was currently residing.
Helene was born June 30th, 1901 in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Carl and Jane (Ogden) Hunter, was raised in Chicago and graduated from the Carl Shuerz High School in Chicago. With a keen interest in music, Helene continued her education in the musical field in Chicago and in Cleveland, Ohio.
On July 16th, 1931, she married Walter E. Merki in Chicago and he preceded her in death in 1946. In October of 1955, Helene relocated to Gladstone where she resided since. While residing in Delta County, Helene taught organ, piano, and voice to many people and is fondly remembered by her students. Additionally, she played for hundreds of weddings and funerals throughout the area and for countless church services, including playing for the Central United Methodist Church in Escanaba, the First Presbyterian Church in Escanaba and the St. Stephens and Trinity Episcopal Churches in Escanaba and Gladstone respectively.
Helene was a devout Episcopalian and was a member of the Trinity Episcopal Church located in Gladstone. Anyone who knew her was always astounded by her love and vitality for life and for her humor which was not lost on anyone who spoke with her. Helene
Anonymous
We are saddened by the news of Helene’s death, but grateful for the time we had with her. Our sympathy goes out to her extended family.
The Thomas A. Clarage Family
Green Bay, WI
Helene play the Trinity for years. I remember she retired, but came back cause she miss playing. She had a wonderful smile that would light any room she was in. She will be missed but impacted many people. God bless your family
The Smith’s
Gwinn, MI
I was saddened to hear of Helene’s passing. I studied organ with her during high school and college. She was a wonderful teacher and a delightful woman who pushed me to strive for excellence and perfection. Nothing was ever too difficult! I will treasure her memory always.
Margaret Noreus Smith
Gladstone, MI
We were saddened to learn of Helene’s passing. She lived a long life and she touched the hearts of many. I took organ lessons from her when it became necessary for me to become the organist at our church, the Evangelical Covenant church. I still have several organ books that she gave me and I treasure them. She taught me well and I enjoyed playing in Gladstone and again when we moved to Palm Harbor, Florida. Peace to her memory.
Dr. Carl and Marilyn Olson
Palm Harbor, FL
To Mrs Merki’s family: I am so sorry for your loss of this remarkable and strong woman. Mrs Merki was my first music teacher. I was so very young, five or six, and I remember her living room as sun filtering through the sheer curtains and a very large piano. It may not have been very large but it was to my tiny being. I have always remembered those early days of my music education and my fascination of the sounds of the piano. I hope you will find peace in your decades of memories.
Toni Bal
Grands Rapids, MI
Helene and I spent many years driving back and forth to the Presbyterian church where she was the organist and I a member of the choir. I even took some voice lessons from her in her dear little home on Minnesota Avenue. She was a “lady” and lots of fun and had a wonderful outlook on life. My stepmother, Thelma King, is 105 and resides at the Christian Park Center. Our thoughts and prayers are with you a this time, we only wish we could be there with all of you to celebrate the life of a very special lady, but our daughter is getting married in California and we won’t be here. We know the service you have for her will be full of beautiful music… God’s Peace,
Lorna King Bensn
Gladstone, MI
My sincere condolences to the family and friends of Helene Merki. I took organ lessons from her at the age of 12 and learned in six months what would surely have taken longer had she not been the excellent teacher that she was. I feel very privileged to have been one of her students. For many years I was the organist in a number of churches in Michigan, Minnesota, and California.
Yvonne (Austin) White
Redwood City, CA
Anonymous
We are saddened by the news of Helene’s death, but grateful for the time we had with her. Our sympathy goes out to her extended family.
The Thomas A. Clarage Family
Green Bay, WI
Helene play the Trinity for years. I remember she retired, but came back cause she miss playing. She had a wonderful smile that would light any room she was in. She will be missed but impacted many people.
God bless your family
The Smith’s
Gwinn, MI
I was saddened to hear of Helene’s passing. I studied organ with her during high school and college. She was a wonderful teacher and a delightful woman who pushed me to strive for excellence and perfection. Nothing was ever too difficult! I will treasure her memory always.
Margaret Noreus Smith
Gladstone, MI
We were saddened to learn of Helene’s passing. She lived a long life and she touched the hearts of many. I took organ lessons from her when it became necessary for me to become the organist at our church, the Evangelical Covenant church. I still have several organ books that she gave me and I treasure them. She taught me well and I enjoyed playing in Gladstone and again when we moved to Palm Harbor, Florida.
Peace to her memory.
Dr. Carl and Marilyn Olson
Palm Harbor, FL
To Mrs Merki’s family: I am so sorry for your loss of this remarkable and strong woman. Mrs Merki was my first music teacher. I was so very young, five or six, and I remember her living room as sun filtering through the sheer curtains and a very large piano. It may not have been very large but it was to my tiny being. I have always remembered those early days of my music education and my fascination of the sounds of the piano. I hope you will find peace in your decades of memories.
Toni Bal
Grands Rapids, MI
Helene and I spent many years driving back and forth to the Presbyterian church where she was the organist and I a member of the choir. I even took some voice lessons from her in her dear little home on Minnesota Avenue. She was a “lady” and lots of fun and had a wonderful outlook on life. My stepmother, Thelma King, is 105 and resides at the Christian Park Center.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you a this time, we only wish we could be there with all of you to celebrate the life of a very special lady, but our daughter is getting married in California and we won’t be here.
We know the service you have for her will be full of beautiful music…
God’s Peace,
Lorna King Bensn
Gladstone, MI
My sincere condolences to the family and friends of Helene Merki. I took organ lessons from her at the age of 12 and learned in six months what would surely have taken longer had she not been the excellent teacher that she was. I feel very privileged to have been one of her students. For many years I was the organist in a number of churches in Michigan, Minnesota, and California.
Yvonne (Austin) White
Redwood City, CA