Merriam Crowl

Merriam Ella Crowl, age 85, of Paola, Kansas passed away with her family at her side February 9, 2016 at the Olathe Hospice House. Merriam was born April 20, 1930 at Humboldt, Kansas. She was the younger of two children born to Clyde and Edith Merriam (Ellis) Lowry. Merriam grew up in Humboldt and graduated from Humboldt High School with the Class of 1948. She was united in marriage to James C. Crowl on August 8, 1948. They made their home in Humboldt and became the parents of four children. It was in 1961 that they moved to Miami County and made their home there since that time. Jim preceded Merriam in death on March 12, 1998, just five months shy of their 50th wedding anniversary. Merriam worked at the Osawatomie State Hospital as a psychiatric aide in the early "60s. Merriam was a member of the Paola First United Methodist Church, the United Methdoist Women, the Commanche Flying Club, and Beta Sigma Phi. Merriam loved gardening and yard work. She had acquired the talent of basket weaving at Powell Gardens with her daughter. She was avid reader with non-fiction being her main interest. Merriam was preceded in death by her parents, husband Jim, son Leonard, and brother Delbert. Merriam is survived by two sons Jim (Saundra) of rural Osawatomie and Dennis (Karla) of Paola; one daughter Dianne Crowl-Ventura (Jim) of rural Greeley, KS; 11 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; many other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Prairie Paws in Ottawa, Great Plains SPCA in Overland Park, or Olathe Hospice House. Contributions can be sent in care of Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 605 O'Neal Ave., Osawatomie, KS, 66064. To leave a special message for Merriam's family please click the "Share Memories" tab above.