a Thief River Falls – Muriel Mercil, 85, Thief River Falls, died peacefully on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014 at Valley Home in Thief River Falls, with her loving family at her side.
Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, Aug. 11, at St. Ber-nard’s Catholic Church in Thief River Falls, with Father Rick Lambert presiding. Interment was held at St. Bernard’s Catholic Cemetery in Thief River Falls.
Muriel Jane LaFriniere was born Feb. 1, 1929 in Erskine, the daughter of Ted and Lillian (Enmark) LaFriniere. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Michael’s Church in Mahnomen. She attended St. Michael’s Elementary School and Mahnomen High School in Mahnomen.
Muriel worked as a waitress for several years in Mahnomen and later in Newfolden. She also owned a restaurant for a few months in Newfolden. She worked for Arctic Enterprises for many years and worked at “Mr. Duane’s,” a woman’s dress shop, in Thief River falls for several years.
On Jan. 4, 1945, Muriel was united in marriage to Virgil Medor Mercil in Greeley, Colo. The couple moved to Mahnomen, following Virgil’s discharge until 1949, when they moved to Harlow, N.D., where they lived until 1954 and then moved to Newfolden. In 1981, they moved to Detroit Lakes, and after Virgil’s retirement, they moved to Brooks. They moved to Thief River Falls in 1990. In January 2012, Muriel moved to Valley Home in Thief River Falls.
Muriel was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Middle River, and was a member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Thief River Falls at the time of her death. She was very active in church throughout her life and prayed the rosary at least once every day. Muriel was an active member at the Heritage Center in Thief River Falls. She enjoyed cooking, baking, canning, crocheting, and playing bingo, cards, and board games with friends and family. Her family, friends and faith were very important to her.
Muriel is survived by her loving husband of 69 years, Virgil, Thief River Falls; three children, Donna (Myles) Koop, Thief River Falls, Jeff Mercil, Thief River Falls, and Steven (Kathy) Mercil, Strandquist; nine grandchildren, Shawn (Darrell) Flaten, Thief River Falls, Tim Langlie, Thief River Falls, Terry Mercil Jr., Minneapolis, Johnnie (Debbie) Mercil, Rockford, Veronica (Nick) Briden, Mankato, Stacey (Ted) Montgomery, Anchorage, Alaska, Andrea (Dave) Clausen, Pequot Lakes, Chiri (Brian) Hart, Minneapolis and Stephanie (Gary) Maurstad, Thief River Falls; many great-grandchildren; sisters, Lois Larson, Beaver Bay, Audrey (Richard) LaVoy, Naytawaush, and Sharon (Sidney) Bonaime, Thief River Falls; sister-in-law, Yvonne Morinville, Brooks; brothers-in-law, Wendell (Addie) Mercil, White Bear Lake; and Gerald (Gen) Mercil, Minneapolis; and many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by parents; son, Terry Mercil; grandson, Daniel Langlie; brothers, Jim and Mike LaFriniere; sisters, Phyllis Waite and Joey Simonson; son-in-law, Noral Langlie; sister-in-law, Mildred (Roy) Ost; and brothers-in-law, Melvin Larson and Lawrence Morinville.
Family condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com.
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