Wilhelmina "Wilma" Merks

   Merks

Peacefully on Friday April 1, 2022, Wilhelmina "Wilma" Merks of   Dutton in her 93rd year. Predeceased by her first husband Tony   [1960] and second husband Harry Merks [2020]. Dear mother of Bill [Marianne], Chris, Peter [Heather], Harriet [late Jeff 2021], Tom [Tracy]. Grandmother of Toni [Mario], late Willy [1993], Krista [Steve], Laurie, [Michael], Kathryn, Trevor, Colin, David, Kassandra, Sabrina and Edward. Greatly loved great grandmother of Anna Mateo, Liam, Emmit and Noah. Survived by her siblings Jo, Nellie, Dora, Tom and Will. Predeceased by her siblings Bert, Jan, Jan, Theo, Dien, Stien, Fridi.
Wilma was born in the Netherlands. She was part of a large family, one of 13 children. She lived through the war and had memories of it as she was a young teen when it ended. She helped in her parents business and also helped with her younger siblings. She immigrated to Canada with her husband and young son Bill.
Life was not always easy as a new immigrant; learning a new language, dealing with occasional anger toward immigrants. A  daughter followed,Chris.
Tragically in an accident she lost her husband Tony. She worked   very hard to make ends meet. I can only imagine the pressure. She took in boarders and cleaned houses. She met Harry this way and   remarried and had 3 more children; Peter, Harriet and Tom..
She was a survivor, a hard worker, a homemaker, a talented  seamstress and cook. Raising her family was her top priority. She lived in several homes, along the way; helping remodel or  build.  She enjoyed a period of time living at her cottage and  wintering in Florida. She loved to catch perch; would go out in a canoe by herself up until she was about 80 years old, and catch supper for a fish fry in oil over open flames. When the cottage  became too much work, she and Harry moved back to Dutton and  lived in an apartment where they were closer to some of their kids and grandchildren. Wilma liked to socialize. She enjoyed  playing cards and loved Bingo. She liked competition and the excitement of a win.
The pandemic was very difficult and she lost the ability to  socialize with people she was close to. She moved into Long Term Care in her last year shortly after Harry passed.
Visitation will be held at Arn Funeral Home 193 Shackleton St. Dutton [519-762-2416], on Sunday, April 3, 7:00 pm - 9:00pm. The Funeral Mass will be held at St Mary's Church 128  Main St  West Lorne on TUESDAY APRIL 5,2022 at 11:00 am.  Interment at St Helen's Cemetery. 
Donations can be made to West Elgin Daffodil Auxiliary-Cancer or the Heart and Stroke Foundation in memory of Wilma.

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