Merilyn Newman

Merilyn Newman, a beautiful lady, inside and out, passed on to the next life Thanksgiving morning, November 27, at her home on Pleasant Lake near Hackensack. She was surrounded by her family, who will forever give thanks for the sunshine she brought into their lives.
Merilyn was 71, born May 21, 1937, at Battle Creek, :MI. As a child, she moved to Chesterton, IN, where she was a cheerleader for the most successful basketball team in her school's history; the team's success - who can doubt it? - at least partly due to the spirit and enthusiasm that marked her entire life.
After a stint at Indiana University, Merilyn went to work at the Leo Burnett advertising agency in Chicago, where she met Ron, her husband of 42 years. In 1977, the couple and their two sons, Ed and Jeff, moved to Minnetonka, MN, where Merilyn continued selling real estate and soon became a member of the Minneapolis Children's Hospital Auxiliary, devoting countless hours, promotional skills and tireless energy to fund-raising.
In 1994, Merilyn and Ron moved to what had been their weekend retreat on Pleasant Lake, to the great joy of the wild creatures that she loved and fed. Here Merilyn continued in real estate, selling lake properties. She also served four years as membership / social chairman of the Pleasant Lake Association, devoting herself so energetically to its success.
One of Merilyn's many enthusiasms was photography, at which she excelled. Another passion was knitting. Countless friends sport her scarves and nap under her afghans - and needy children throughout the world are snug in sweaters she produced for Guidepost Magazine's Knit for Kids program.
Merilyn is survived by husband, Ron, of Hackensack; son, Jeff, of Santa Garita, CA; son, Ed (Joan) of Waukesha, WI; granddaughter, Erika, of New Brighton, MN; sister, Brenda (Paul), of Staunton, V A; and brother, Ken, of Pequot Lakes.
At Merilyn's request, her life will be celebrated privately by her family.
Memorials can be sent to Good Samaritan Home Care and Hospice, P.O. Box 315, Nisswa, MN 56468.