Merlin Walker

Our incredible and amazing mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister, Merlin E. Walker (Bluemel) peacefully passed away on December 27, 2021.  Born to John Vernon and Marguerite Bluemel on February 26, 1930 in Lyman, Wyoming.  When she was seven years old her mother passed away and she was then cared for by her Aunts: Liddy, Chloe, Bertha and Verla, until her father, John, married Phoebe Fuller. John and Phoebe raised their families together and welcomed two more children.  Merlin lived with the blended family in Utah for several years, skipping a grade while she was there. When she returned to Lyman, she graduated a year ahead of the class she started school with.

When she was 17 years old she became reacquainted with Clinton Wesley Walker at a Christmas dance, and they were married on August 11, 1947.  Clinton was the love of her life and she was very devoted to him.  They were blessed with five children, 19 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.  Their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS temple in 1967.  They were married for over 71 years.

Merlin was a talented artist and was known for creating beautiful works of art.  She loved to paint with oils and draw.  She taught art classes and painted Christmas scenes on the windows of numerous local businesses.  She sold many paintings, as well as painted milk cans and saws.  She also loved to sew, quilt, cook, design clothing, and read.

She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and held numerous callings, including relief society and young women’s president for both her ward and stake.  Merlin served missions with her sweetheart Clinton in Nauvoo, Illinois, the Ogden Temple, and as stake missionaries.  She was active in the Xadena Club, holding many positions including president twice, and served in many community projects.  One of the things she loved most was working on floats for the parades in the Valley.  Merlin was also a member of the PTA and loved being a room mother for her children.

She spent her life passionately caring for and loving Clinton and their children and grandchildren.  Merlin was such a kind, gentle, loving woman.  She will be greatly missed by her family.  She is survived by three sons, and two daughters: Jack C. Walker (Ginger), Vance B. Walker (Lisa), Marilee Anderson (Guy), Sonya Buckner (Mike), and Tyler Walker (Crystal); and her brothers, Ivan J. (Jean) and Gary (Connie) Bluemel. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers; Vernon, Jay, and Kurtiss Bluemel; step-brother Sherwood Coleman and step-sister Delores Bluemel; and granddaughter Terri Lynne Walker.

Funeral services will be held at the Lyman chapel in Lyman, Wyoming on Monday, January 3, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.  Viewings will be held Sunday, January 2, 2022 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. in the Lyman chapel, and Monday morning prior to the funeral services from 9:45 - 10:45 a.m.

The family would like to thank Legacy House of Taylorsville, Utah, and Inspiration Hospice for their care and service.