Merlene Fries

Memories

Read the thoughts and memories, then feel free to add your own.

1. Martha Oprisko says

   November 3, 2021 at 2:38 pm

   I hope this site is in memory of the Merlene Fries I knew when she lived in Princeton, Indiana; but, I don’t klnow for certain since there’s information on this site to let me know one way or another.

   After her mother died, she decided to move away. First, I think she went to visit a daughter in Texas? Then she moved on to the Northwest where another daughter lived.

   If this site is for my friend, then I want others to know she was a uniquely modern woman for the day & age in which she lived. She definitely marched to the beat of her own drum.

   She married, lived on a farm – in Wisconsin or Minnesota – for a number of years & gave birth to several children.

   Merlene was so talented. She made quilts, as did one of her daughters, & had an artistic nature. She was a good cook and a wonderful friend. She had at least one son who if my memory serves me right, was a trucker & who had a home in Tennessee. (I think she had another one who lived out in Arizona or New Mexico. Merelene lived near her son in Tennessee for a time & met a special gentleman while she was there.

   But before she lived in Tennessee she lived out West & met a man whom she married (& unfortunately died much too soon), She wasn’t treated very well by his children after he died; but, Merlene didn’t let that keep her down. She was one of the most upbeat individuals I’ve ever met.

   She loved to play cards & I would often go over to her house to play with her & another woman who was younger than either Merlene or I. This woman was driven to win & I had never met anyone who got so upset when she didn’t. There was a card game Merlene called – excuse my language – Shit On Your Neighbor, that was a lot of fun & would have me in stitches.

   Merlene either worked or volunteered at the Salvation Army helping out when they held their indoor yard sales, which is where I met her. She later worked for the Red Cross through the AARP Program with the aim of helping people over 55 obtain gainful employment.

   She moved out Montana & this gentleman followed her out there because he was smittened.

   I hadn’t heard from her in quite a while & got so caught up in my own health problems, caring for my elderly mother & generally being overwhelmed trying to take care of everything.

   Finally, I decided to Google her name & I found this tribute.

   So, if this Merelene is “my” Merlene, I hope she is up in Heaven organizing things, being creative & putting all her other traits to good use.

   I love & miss you Merlene!

   Martha Lee Belles Oprisko