Merrill Harry SWELEY

Merrill Harry Sweley was born in his grandparents home on May 23, 1938 in Litchfield, NE. He passed away on March 8, 2012 at the age of 73 in Renton, WA after a stroke. He is survived by his wife Midge, daughter Wendy Keller, son-in-law Mark, and grandchildren Eva, Jonas, Annika and Lisel. He is also survived by his four sisters: Lavonne McGraw of Broken Bow, NE, Karen Schall of Litchfield, NE, Mary Scheidies of Farmington, MI, Marilyn Lammers of Kearney, NE, his eight brothers: Gale Sweley of Ellsworth, NE, Wayne Sweley of Burwell, NE, Burdette Sweley, Gerald Sweley, Roger Sweley and Mike Sweley of Grand Island, NE, Ronnie Sweley of Litchfield, NE, Randy Sweley of Kimball, NE and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Roy and Elva Sweley, brother George, and brother Meredith, who died in infancy. Merrill graduated from Litchfield High School in 1957. He worked on the family farm during the school year and up in the Sand Hills of Nebraska during the summers. It was there that he worked on his Aunt Flo and Uncle Warren Hooper's ranch and Dick Brennan's ranch. He left Nebraska in the fall of 1957 to find work in California and lived with his Aunt Mildred and Uncle Leonard Brown. He moved to Vancouver, Canada in 1959 and became a partner in Staymet Alloys Limited, a welding rod company. In May of 1961, he came to Seattle and joined the Marine Reserves, serving for six years until May of 1967. He was hired by Boeing on December 18, 1963. He worked there for 32 years and took advantage of early retirement in 1995 after being nominated for employee of the year several times. He married Midge Luetzow on April 4, 1964 and they enjoyed 48 wonderful years together. Merrill loved God and was firmly committed to the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. He was baptized as a baby and confirmed in Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Ravenna, NE. Wherever he went he found a Lutheran church and attended faithfully. He served as an elder at Resurrection Lutheran Church and Atonement Lutheran Church where he undertook visiting members with deep conviction and continued this practice even after he formally stepped down. Merrill loved the outdoors. His love for hunting began in his youth when he would hunt jackrabbits and squirrels with his brothers and cousins. He built a cabin in Packwood, WA in 1967 and enjoyed sharing it with friends and family. He loved to hunt deer and elk, fish for trout, cut wood, and make sausage and wine. Merrill built furniture, and did wood working of all kinds, including building their home in Kent. He was always a farmer at heart and enjoyed sharing the harvest of his garden with many, especially those who like large zucchini. His pumpkins were legendary. He was gratified to have completed the restoration of his John Deere M tractor. He was a card carrying member (number 91) of the Rainier Antique Tractor Club and looked forward to working with the Covington Hay Crew each summer. He relished his weekly coffee dates with friends. Merrill returned yearly to visit his family in Nebraska and always looked forward to playing cards and catching up on the news. He was an avid backgammon player and taught all his grandchildren to play. He took great pleasure making a batch or two of popcorn for his grandkids and ignored all reprimands for how salty it was. He loved cultivating friendships and lived out his faith by serving others.

Funeral Service

March 15, 2012, 1:30 pm