Clara Ann Holzhauser Merrill was born on September 10, 1937 to George and Vera Holzhauser in New Castle, Pennsylvania. She grew up with her older brother, Donnie, and two younger sisters, Dolly and Cookie. Clara Ann lived as a child on a farm and attended a one room schoolhouse with several other grades. She worked hard helping her mother with the household chores, baking and caring for her younger sisters. Clara Ann also often helped her father work in the garden.
Clara Ann described her parents as good and kind. Her family attended church on Sundays, and Clara Ann felt a strong desire at a young age to be of greater service to her fellowmen. Clara Ann enjoyed singing in the church choir and also played the piano beautifully by ear.
When Clara Ann was thirteen years old her family moved to Bloomington, California. Her father took a job at Kaiser Steel Company.
Clara Ann attended Colton High School, where she met Glen Rulon Merrill. Glen and Clara Ann were high school sweethearts, and dated their entire senior year. They loved attending school dances together, going to the beach, and Clara Ann Also enjoyed watching Glen play basketball.
Clara Ann graduated from Colton High School, and shortly thereafter married Glen at his mother's home on November 23, 1955. They were later sealed to one another and to their two oldest children, Doug and Cathy, for time and all eternity, in the Los Angeles Temple on July 24, 1961.
After their marriage, Glen and Clara Ann lived in several different homes in Riverside, California. They had three additional children - Colleen, David and Bobby. Clara Ann was a loving mother and devoted her entire life to her family.
Clara Ann taught herself to sew, cook and bake. She became an excellent seamstress and excelled in the kitchen alos. She loved cooking and baking for her family and friends throughout her life.
When her children were young, Clara Ann took several college courses at Riverside City College. She earned straight A's. Her favorite course was Children's Literature.
As a young adult, Clara Ann became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She loved the gospel of Jesus Christ with all her heart and spent her lifetime serving in countless callings in all the auxiliaries of the church, including ward and stake Relief Society presidents. Clara Ann was a tremendous support to her husband as he also served in many leadership callings of the church, including Stake Patriarch.
Clara Ann served in both the Los Angeles and Redlands Temples for many years. She dearly loved the temple. When Clara Ann had health struggles during the last years of her life, she often said she couldn't wait to get back to the temple to serve.
Clara Ann spent her final days surrounded by countless loved ones. She left this life on the morning of April 25, 2024. Clara Ann is preceded in death by her husband, Glen, and her two sons, Douglas and David. She is preceded also by her brother Donald and sister Darlene Dagnal, and survived by her sister Lori Sturdivant. Clara Ann is survived by her children, Cathleen Tucker (David), Colleen Keegan and Robert Merrill (Emily), additional daughters-in-law Amanda and Lisa, 19 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
The funeral service will be held on Monday, May 13, 2024 at 11:00 am at Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4375 Jackson St, Riverside, CA 92503. A committal service will occur Monday, May 13, 2024 from 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM at Pierce Brothers Crestlawn Memorial Park and Mortuary, 11500 Arlington Ave, Riverside, CA 92505.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.9.6