It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Merlynn Foster after a decades long battle with dementia on January 9, 2025.
Merlynn was born on January 29, 1937 in Price, Utah to Eugene Olsen and Golda Smith-Hansen.
A life-long resident of Carbon County, Merlynn married Howard Pierce and together they had four children, Toni, Debra, Jackie and Steven. Merlynn and Howard later divorced, later marrying the love of her life, Layton Foster. While they sadly only got to spend seven short years together before he tragically passed, the two of them made a lifetime’s worth of memories and adventures that she deeply cherished.
Merlynn enjoyed playing pool and was known as an avid and accomplished competitor. She passed her love of pool down to her only son, often resulting in good hearted competition. Merlynn truly was an extraordinary mother, grandmother, and friend. She never missed out on her family’s sporting events, school programs, or major life events. The true light in her life was gathering and entertaining her family. She ensured no one ever left her home hungry, without a cup of coffee, or without knowing how much she loved and cared.
While we are heartbroken to say goodbye, we take comfort in knowing that she lived a full life devoted to her family and that a joyous reunion is taking place with her beloved husband.
Merlynn is survived by her children, Toni (Barry) Mills, Debbie (Foster) McArthur, Jackie (Lance) Moon, and Steve Pierce; sisters, Katie Austin and Darla Hanna; sisters-in-law, Alice Olsen and Leslie Hansen; grandchildren, Ryan and Dustin Mills, Kyle, Korey and Kirk McArthur, Kaden Pierce, Scoti Moon, and Cali Moon-Fuller; along with twenty-one great-grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren.
Preceded in death by her beloved husband, Layton Foster; parents, Charles Eugene Olsen and Golda Smith-Hansen; siblings, Marion “Derl” (Joann) Olsen, Elaine (Royce) Allred, Rolland “Sonny” Olsen, Gaylene Olsen and Bonnie Jean Olsen; brothers-in-law, Billy J. Austin, and Harrold Hanna.
The family would like to give a heartfelt thank you to CNS Hospice, especially Micheal and Carrie for graciously helping the family care for her at home over the past few years.
Funeral service, Wednesday, January 15, 2025, 11:00 a.m., Mitchell Funeral Home in Price where the family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 5:00-6:30 p.m. and Wednesday morning one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Price City Cemetery.
Arrangements are entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington where friends and family are always welcome daily and may share memories of Merlynn online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.