A Mass of Christian Burial for Marcella "Sally" E. Meirick of Alta Vista, IA will be held at 10:30 a.m. today, Wednesday, April 9, 2008 at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Alta Vista, IA. Interment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Alta Vista, IA.
    Visitation was held from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 8 at Conway-Kolbet Funeral Home in Elma with a scriptural wake service at 5 p.m. and a rosary at 6 p.m. and will continue one hour prior to the service at the funeral home today, Wednesday, April 9.
    Conway-Kolbet Funeral Home in Elma, IA is handling the arrangements.
    Marcella, 82, died Sunday, April 6, 2008 at Mercy Medical Center in New Hampton.
    Marcella Elizabeth Meirick was born August 23, 1925 the daughter of John and Anna (Koudelka) Praska on the family farm near Alta Vista. Sally graduated from St. Williams Catholic School in Alta Vista in 1942.
    On May 5, 1943 she married John Louis Meirick at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Alta Vista. The couple lived in the Alta Vista area all their married lives. Sally was a homemaker until 1985 when she became employed by Colonial Manor where she worked as a CNA until her retirement in 2003. Sally enjoyed gardening, baking, cooking and was a tremendous caretaker. She was a member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church, Rosary Society and Study Club.
    Sally is survived by seven children: Larry (Charlene) Meirick of Alta Vista, IA, Terri (Denny) Gebel of Cedar Falls, IA, Jill (Scott) Hogeland of New Hampton, IA, Gail (Mike) Shewry of Ottumwa, IA, Roger (Karen) Meirick of Alta Vista, IA, Tom (Julie) Meirick of Clarion, IA and Brenda (Steve) Zobeck of Prior Lake, MN; 19 grandchildren: Shelly (Dax) Lawless, Darrin (Amy) Meirick, Selena (Kyle) Christiansen, Ben Gebel, Luke Gebel, Chad (Tina) Utley, Dustin Utley, Garrett Hogeland, Ryan (Denise) Schissel, Brandon Schissel, Ashley Meirick, Wesley Meirick, Colton Meirick, Adam Meirick, Brooke Meirick, Sam Meirick, Brock Meirick, Anna Zobeck and Connor Zobeck; six great-grandchildren; and brother-in-law: Dale Meirick of Alta Vista, IA.
    She is preceded in death by her parents; husband: John who died September 26, 2006; grandson: Ronnie; brothers: Emil Praska, Ralph Praska and Victor Praska; and sisters: Rose Chihak, Lucy Berka and Susie Vick.