Marvina Heroldine Merrill Gold Obituary (1929 - 2024)

Born Jul 17, 1929, Marvina Heroldine Merrill Gold attended Stanton County High School in Johnson, KS. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Marvina Heroldine Merrill Gold.

Graduation Year	Class of 1947
Date of Birth	Jul 17, 1929
Date of Passing	Sep 28, 2024
About	Marvina Heroldine Merrill was the second child of Nina Mae Schroeder and Marvin Herold Merrill. She was born in her family home near Johnson, Kansas. Marvina was a happy child who thrived at school and loved her teachers. She could be ornery and occasionally found herself in the cloak room. This was not a problem for her. It meant she could read the encyclopedias stored there. Her teacher decided that this was not punishment so she sent her to work in the kitchen preparing meals for the other students. Marvina did not mind this punishment either. She loved to play baseball on the playground and quickly became a homerun sensation earning the title of Dizzy Deanie. This was later shortened affectionately to "Dizz." She also loved to slide down the metal slide with wax paper. Marvina told many stories of the dust bowl and the depression. She told stories about walking home from school in dirt storms so thick that they had to hold on to the fence so they would not get lost. She and her family were very good at getting by on very little. Marvina went to high school in Johnson, Kansas, and shortly after she met a young man by the name of Gene Gold. He had been drafted to the Navy and had been granted leave. After hitchhiking all the way home from Boston, Massachusetts, his family had planned a surprise visit with his friends and family. Marvina was one of these friends. After this meeting they began writing to each other while he was in the service. This friendship blossomed into a romance. On Christmas Eve 1948 they were married. The first years of Gene and Marvina's marriage were spent in Kansas where Gene was employed by Charlie Winger northeast of Johnson, Kansas. Their son, Gene "Deverle" was born November 27, 1949. The family moved to Gardena, California in May of 1950. They made their home there for nearly twelve years. There were many fond memories from these years in California. They also made many friends that Marvina continued to write to for many years. The family finally returned to Baca County in April of 1962. It was a real joy for the family to return to the peace of country living. Marvina worked at the grocery store. Being very smart with numbers, she also did books occasionally. She made all of her own clothes and many of her family's clothes as well. She loved baking and making candy and she soon was asked to start candy classes to teach others her technique. These classes became very popular and she traveled to many different counties teaching her skills. She had a special way of making candy that gave so many of her students joy. She loved to share this talent with others. Marvina made many friends throughout her community. She was a part of her local Hospice and served on the board for many years. She also was a member of the S and C club and her local Cattlewomen's Association. She also shared her property with many hunters throughout the years. Hunting was a passion that her son Deverle enjoyed and she wanted to keep that tradition going. She made so many new friends that came to love her through these experiences. Marvina is preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Gene; son Deverle; sister Betty Nickell; sister Zellamaye Burkenbine; brother Marvin Harold Merrill, Jr.; brother Harvey Merrill; She is survived by her sister Maribeth and her husband, Ed Towns of Alva, Oklahoma, Sister-in-law Sue Merrill of Springfield, Colorado, and Brother-in-law Gerald Nickell of Johnson, Kansas, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/275145589/marvina_heroldine-gold