Merlin Christina Hansen Bishop was born, November 9, 1927 in Lawrence, Utah.
She was called home by Heavenly Father very peacefully surrounded by family and friends on May 14, 2021 in Price.
It was a crisp, fall morning when an angel came into our family. Merlin was such a beautiful child and loved every aspect of life. She was raised on a rural farm and loved her horses; she could often be found racing the horses to Buffalo and back, and she often won the race on her favorite horse Sally Rae. Being the sixth child of a family of eight she had lots of sibling rivalry and proved to be one the hardest working and most loved and dedicated of all.
At that time, she was the oldest child left at home and was responsible for the care of her two younger sisters, Shirley and Henrietta. This relationship lasted a lifetime between her and her two sisters. She was very competitive and found herself winning tennis championships with her close friend Shirlene. After she graduated from North Emery High School with her class, she soon married the love of her life and soulmate, whom gave her 70+ years of blessed life. Her smile was contagious and her laughter would ring through the canyons.
One of her greatest joys and loves was preparing meals and cooking for her family. She is famous for her dinner rolls, fruit salad and delicious, rich chocolate cake. We would inevitably challenge each other over the last portion of each item. Her summers were filled with family reunions and gatherings in Upper Joe’s Valley, Hamburger Flats, BBQs on Gentry Mountain and cookouts in the backyard.
Merlin loved to be in the outdoors fishing and hunting. They were a big part of her life for many years. She even enjoyed dancing, where square dancing literally became part of who she was. She was known as the “Queen of square dance.” Dad and Mom would often steal the floor, as many would watch and agree she was unbelievable.
Finally, mom found a golf club and immediately golf became her passion. She played many courses. In fact, she and dad played many of the golf courses in Utah, Colorado and Nevada. It didn’t matter where they traveled, she would always say, “There is always time for golf.”
Once on a trip to France, while dining, she ordered salad – salad – salad, just to play it safe. When served, one of the salads appeared to crawl off the plate; I believe they were called “slugs.”
Overall, her family was her prized possession; she loved her husband and six children and extended family. Merlin participated in and enjoyed everything they did. Her laughter and spirit were contagious. Friday night card games were a regular occurrence and she played a mean game of 500; a strategy and keen wit made her hard to beat and simply amazing. She will be dearly missed by everyone who knew her, and if you were lucky enough to meet her, you never forgot her angelic ways and her loving heart. She was a kind, sweet, sincere person, holding her family together for 93 wonderful years. God knew we needed her strength and courage; He knew we needed everything she was. He knew we needed her.
Merlin is survived by her children, Leanna C. Axelgard (Wally), Barbara Ann Piccolo (Joe), Paula Birk, Mary Bishop (Randy); sister, Henrietta Hansen; sister-in-law, Colleen Hanson; grandchildren, Shauntawn Clark (Jamie), Christina Kollar (Rob) Courtney Beckstrom (Dustin), Brittany Bishop, Kimberlee Steele (Lance), Ryan Piccolo, Elizabeth Piccolo (Zach), Michael Birk (Tina), Christopher Birk, Lamar Birk, Jacquline Birk, Megan Birk; great-grandchildren, Tazz Clark, Quinn Clark, Bailey Kollar, Mathew Kollar, Brooklyn Seal Ryker Seal, Taigen, Mobley, Jaylee Bishop, Jewels Birk, Kyle Carlton, Hayden Carlton, Axton Garmann, Christopher Birk, Adrian Birk, Kalena Birk, Norah Birk.
Preceded in death by her parents, Lauritz and Christina Hansen; husband, J. Lamar Bishop; children, Randy, Ernest and Janice; siblings, Lovora, Oral, Zelda, Bernice, Shirley, Mac; son-in-law, Wolfgang Birk; granddaughter, Jessica Axelgard; great-grandchildren, Levi Seal, Jayden Seal.
A special thanks to Symbii Home Health and Hospice and the people who attended to Mom in her last years; the family is indebted to you all.
Funeral service, Wednesday, May 19, 2021, 11:00 a.m., Price North Stake Center (449 North 100 East) where the family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment, Cleveland Town Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.