Merle F. Riel

Merle Riel of Bedford, TX, passed away on Sunday, July 10, 2022 in Keller, TX at the age of 96. She will always be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to all that knew and loved her. She was born on May 29, 1926 in Springfield, MA to Riley and Cora Farnsworth.

Merle always had a smile on her face and one thing she always said was "I've had a wonderful life!" She met the love of her life, Bud, while he was serving in the U.S. Navy during WWII and waited for him to return before marrying on January 11, 1945 in Springfield, MA. She graduated from Adelphi College with a degree in nursing, which she practiced her entire life until she retired from St. Paul Hospital in Dallas, TX in 1988 at the age of 62. She and Bud enjoyed traveling the country in one of their motorhomes after retiring, visiting with friends and family along the way. Her hands were always busy, knitting and crocheting blankets and other gifts. Merle also loved to read and she made volumes of pictures of their travels.

Merle is survived by sons Gerald Riel and Rick Riel, and daughters Susan Niece and Carolyn Riel; four grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Harold (Bud) Riel, her sister Ardys Lynch, and her brothers Merwyn Farnsworth and Elbridge Farnsworth.

Celebration of Life to be held Thursday, November 10, 2022 at 1pm at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park with a reception to follow in the Bluebonnet Family Lounge. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association www.alz.org or American Cancer Society www.cancer.org. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.bluebonnethills.com.