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Edith Estelle (Mehnke) Merritt was born November 1, 1933 in Bengough, Saskatchewan and passed away August 1, 2025 in Weyburn, Saskatchewan.
Edith was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, Douglas Merritt; parents Fred Mehnke & Esther Chambers (Mehnke); step-father, Ken Chambers; father & mother-in-law, George & Edna Merritt; sisters-in-law, Irene Chambers, Loretta Merritt, Joyce Clews, brothers-in-law, Tom Merritt, Wilfred Clews. Edith will be forever loved and missed by her daughter, Linda (Roger) and family Katelyn (Mike); son, Garth (Rhonda) and family Jessica (Mathew), Tyler (Taylor); daughter, Donna (Allan) and family Lacey (Brian), Kayla (Chris) and Stephanie (Joseph); great grandchildren, Vayda, Livia, Audrey, Grace, Clark, Leo, Ryker and Sophia; sister, Darlene Linton; brother, Ken Chambers as well as nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.
Edith was the only child of Fred and Esther Mehnke. Edith lived on a farm south of Glasnevin, Saskatchewan from 1933-1939. Following her dad’s death in 1938, she and her mom moved to live in Ogema, Saskatchewan. Edith’s mom married Ken Chambers in 1940, and following this union, Edith eventually had two younger siblings, a sister, Darlene and a brother, Ken Junior.
Edith attended all of her schooling in Ogema. Her closest school friends were Yvonne Eden, Clara Walsh and Delmar Eden. She also spent a lot of time with her 1st cousin Marjorie (Mehnke) Caird. Growing up, Edith was a member of the Ogema CGIT and spent a memorable summer camping with the group at the Trossachs dam. She was a member of the Ogema United Church and attended Sunday school as a child. In the fall of 1946, Edith’s mother was diagnosed with TB and was admitted to Fort San by Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan. Edith remained at home with her step father Ken; her brother, Ken Junior was born at Fort San.
After graduating from Ogema High School in 1952, Edith was Study Supervisor at the Gordon Country School by Hardy, Saskatchewan for the fall/winter of 1952-1953 and boarded at the home of Reg Cull. In the fall/winter of 1953-1954 she was Study Supervisor at the Red Rose Country School by Pangman, Saskatchewan and boarded at the Bert Kessler home. Following that, in 1954 she worked at the Simpson Sears catalogue dept. store in Regina, Saskatchewan for one year; while there, she lived with her high school friend Delmar Eden and her family.
In the summer of 1955 Edith married Douglas Merritt of Pangman, Saskatchewan and they resided together on the Merritt family farm with Douglas’ father (George Merritt). Edith and Douglas lived and worked on the farm until 2009, raising 3 children. They grew grain and raised cattle, chickens and for a few years pigs. Edith helped out around the farm wherever she was needed, helping with the cows, caring for the chickens, hauling hay bales or driving grain truck. She tended a large garden and took many meals (with kids along) to the field. She learned by trial and error to be a great cook and often commented if it didn’t turn out, it sometimes went over the fence to the chickens or the pigs. She recalled coming home after their brief honeymoon to a houseful of company; her sister-in-law Joyce then taught her to make biscuits and Edith continued to make delicious fluffy biscuits throughout her life. Homemade buns, beef stew with dumplings and pies were some of Edith’s specialties. She hosted many Christmas celebrations and other family holiday events. Sundays were often sMehnke side of the family. Edith and Douglas would go on short yearly camping/tenting trips with the kids to various parks across Saskatchewan; Edith always had the car packed full with everything needed. She drove her children to/from and attended mostly all their extracurricular or sporting events.
Edith had so many talents and pastimes. She was an avid reader and loved using her hands to create things. She sewed many Halloween costumes for her kids; she had the ability to make something out of nothing. She also sewed numerous figure skating costumes and clothing items for her family. Edith spent hours beautifully crocheting, knitting and doing needlework creating sweaters, afghans, pictures & such; many of which are treasured by family members to this day.
Edith and Douglas traveled and watched Garth play hockey throughout the years, and later watched grandchildren’s hockey, figure skating and sporting events; a pastime thoroughly enjoyed by both. She loved babysitting her grandchildren and they spent many summer holidays with Edith and Douglas on the farm.
Over the years, Edith served a variety of roles in the Pangman community. She was for a time involved in the Pangman Rebecca Lodge and was secretary for the Pangman Figure Skating Club as well as the Pangman School Board. She was a member of the Pangman United Church, taught Sunday School and participated in Bible study groups. Edith was an avid member of Pangman Genealogical Society, researching and documenting her family history; this was a passion she shared with her cousin Marjorie Caird. She also attended Pangman TOPS and was a member of DSPCH Ladies Auxiliary. She volunteered in the community, working countless hours at the local rink kitchen for hockey and figure skating events. She participated in Rock-a-thons and various fundraisers for local charities.
Edith lost her husband Douglas in 2010. She moved to a senior’s apartment complex in Coronach, Saskatchewan from 2009-2019 to be closer to her daughter, Linda. Edith then moved back to Pangman in the fall of 2019 to the Deep South Personal Care Home. Upon its closure, she moved to Tatagwa View in Weyburn, Saskatchewan, where she resided until her death.
Edith will be remembered for her love of family and her creative nature. She will be dearly missed.
Thank you to all the care givers who assisted mom with her needs over the years. A private graveside service and internment will be held at a later date.
Condolences may be left at: https://www.fletcherfuneralchapel.com/
Services in Care of Fletcher Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services Weyburn, Saskatchewan 306-842-5432