THOMSEN, Merle

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Wednesday, July 21, 2010 Merle Thomsen, 88, passed away on July 17, 2010, in Cortez, Colo. She was born on June 14, 1922, in Connersville, Ind., to Howard and Clara (Thatcher) Handley. She was the oldest of eight children. Merle married the love of her life, George Thomsen, on March 15, 1941. She was a mother, and a hospital volunteer "pink lady" for 40 years in California and Arizona. She and her family moved to Arizona in 1963, where she and her husband owned and operated Mountain View Cemetery for 45 years. She was an active member of the Prescott Christian Church for many years. Merle is survived by her husband, George; children, Lillian, George, Pat and Ken; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and a brother and sister. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 24, 2010, at the Prescott Christian Church, 501 S. Senator Highway, Prescott, Ariz. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Merle Thomsen's name to YRMC Volunteer Department, 1003 Willow Creek Road, Prescott, AZ 86301. Hampton Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements. Information provided by survivors.