Meriel J. Overby

Meriel Overby, 87, of Cooperstown, ND, passed away Monday, July 27, 2015, at the Griggs County Care Center.

Meriel Jewel Haugen was born August 22, 1927, in Honeyford, ND, to Peter and Jessie (Lund) Haugen. She was raised and educated at Honeyford and graduated from Gilby High School. Meriel graduated from Concordia College in 1949, earning an English and Library Science degree. On July 2, 1950, she married Alph Jerome Overby of Finley, ND. They moved from country living in Finley to city life in Seattle and Minneapolis, before settling in Cooperstown in 1965.

Meriel's years in Cooperstown involved substitute teaching and working in a women's clothing store. In her retirement years, she traveled the U.S. with Alph, first in their airplane and later in the motorhome. They enjoyed a month each winter in the sunshine and warmth of Mazatlan, Mexico, for ten years. Meriel was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and was active in numerous church and volunteer organizations, P.E.O., and District 23 Republicans.

Meriel touched many lives through work, raising a family, and being a friend. She considered family to be of the utmost importance, following the activities of her children and grandchildren. Meriel was never far from a book; she was an avid reader and wrote a book report upon completion of each book. She was an accomplished baker and a hardanger and knitting fanatic.

Meriel is survived by her children Signe (David) Nelson, Oshkosh, WI; Peter (Angie) Overby, Cooperstown, ND; Eric Overby, Shepard, TX; Sonja (Lynn) Johnson, Hannaford, ND; special cousin David (Margaret ) Simonson, Minnetonka, MN; four grandchildren, four great grandchildren and her step-grandchildren; siblings Boyd Haugen, Orvis (June) Haugen, Margaret Garrett, and Kathryn (Bob) Ersland; brothers-in-law Philip (Eve) Overby and Floyd (Marie) Overby, sister-in-law Margaret Alberg, many nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Alph, and sister Eleanor Tupa.

Memorial Services for Meriel will be held Friday, July 31, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. in the Trinity Lutheran Church of Cooperstown, ND. Memorials may be given to Trinity Lutheran Church, the Griggs County Public Library, or a charity of your choice.