October 7th, 1929 - May 20th, 2024
Merna Marie McDiffett, age 94, of Lincoln died on May 20th, 2024. Merna was born on October 7th, 1929 to John Walter and Seta (Lassen) Wilson in Lincoln, NE as the oldest of 8 children. She graduated from College View High School in 1947 and began work at Gooch Foods where she met Agnes Tobin who introduced her to her son, Ray McDiffett. In January 1948, Ray and Merna married. She worked for Elgin Watch Company, Fairmont Foods and retired from Novartis in 1991. She was an active member of Havelock United Methodist Church for many years. In the kitchen cooking cinnamon rolls, cookies and strohoni or playing a game of cards is where Merna enjoyed spending her time most. Merna loved her family and enjoyed time spent with them.
She is survived by her 4 daughters, Cheryl (John) Dahlgren of Pawnee City, NE, Vicki Miller of Nashville, TN, Lynne (Roy) Pyle of Dayton, OH, and Patti (Greg) Hoegermeyer of Herman, NE; 9 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; 2 bonus great-grandchildren; brothers, Bill Wilson and Don (Arvilla) Wilson; sisters Christal (Dan) Dehning and Carol (Tony) Wenzl; sister-in-law, Terry Wilson; brother-in-laws, John Tvrdy and Lyle Stolte.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Ray McDiffett; sisters, June Tvrdy and Betty Stolte; brother, Jim Wilson; sister-in-law, Karen Wilson; and son-in-laws, Mike Miller and Ray Black.
Visitation will be Sunday, June 2 (6/2/24), 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm, with the family greeting friends from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 6800 S 14th St, Lincoln, NE. Memorial service will be Monday, June 3 (6/3/24), 10:00 am, at Havelock United Methodist Church, 4140 N. 60th St., Lincoln, NE 68507. lincolnfh.com. Memorials designated to American Breast Cancer Foundation and Havelock United Methodist Church.