Chesterton Tribune

Merilyn Newman dies at 71

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Former Chesterton resident Merilyn Newman died Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 27, 2008 at her home in Minnesota surrounded by her family. She was 71.

She is survived by husband, Ron, of Hackensack, Minn.; sons Jeff of Santa Garita, Calif., and Ed Goan of Waukesha, Wisc.; granddaughter, Erika, of New Brighton, Minn.; sister, Brenda (husband Paul), of Staunton, Virg.; and brother, Ken, of Pequot Lakes, Minn.

She was born May 21, 1937, in Battle Creek, Mich. As a child, she moved to Chesterton, where she was a cheerleader for the most successful basketball team in her school’s history. After a stint at Indiana University, she went to work at the Leo Burnett advertising agency in Chicago, where she met Ron, her husband of 42 years.

In 1977, the couple and their two sons, Ed and Jeff, moved to Minnetonka, Minn., where Merilyn continued selling real estate. She soon became a member of the Minneapolis Children’s Hospital Auxiliary, devoting countless hours, promotional skills and tireless energy to fund-raising. _In 1994, Merilyn and Ron moved to what had been their weekend retreat, a cabin on Pleasant Lake near Hackensack, Minn., to the great joy of the wild creatures that she loved and fed. Here Merilyn continued in real estate, selling lake properties. She also served four years as membership/social chairman of the Pleasant Lake Association, devoting herself energetically to its success.

One of Merilyn’s many enthusiasms was photography, at which she excelled. Another passion was knitting. She produced sweaters for needy children worldwide in Guidepost Magazine’s Knit for Kids program.

At Merilyn’s request, her life will be celebrated privately by her family. Memorials can be sent to Good Samaritan Home Care and Hospice, P.O. Box 315, Nisswa, Minn., 56468.

Arrangements were handled by Kline Funeral Home, Pine River, Minn.; klinefuneralhome@hotmail.com

 

Posted 12/1/2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

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