Leila Mae (Reece) Merwin, dearly beloved wife of Ralph Merwin, precious mother and grandmother, passed peacefully into the Light Sunday evening, March 20, at her home in Alliance, after a valiant journey with cancer. She was surrounded and held by much love.
Leila was born April 26, 1940 to Mervil and Mildred (Stiller) Reece, in Scottsbluff, Nebraska at the home of home of Fern Townsend’s parents. Born 3 months premature, she arrived weighing 2.2 pounds and was in the hospital 3 months before she was able to go home. This was just the beginning of her remarkable strength, tenacity, determined spirit, and zest for living.
Leila grew up on a ranch southwest of Crawford, Nebraska, with her parents and older brother, Dwain. She attended a one-room schoolhouse through 8th grade, and graduated high school after completing a 4-year correspondence course through the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Following high school, she worked as a medical secretary for a doctor in Grand Island, Nebraska. Here she developed many strong and lasting friendships.
In the fall of 1969, Leila first met Ralph Merwin in a Sunday morning meeting in North Platte, Nebraska. Their relationship blossomed and they were joined in marriage March 8, 1971. They lived in North Platte for a while until moving to Paxton and working on a ranch there. While living in Paxton, their daughter, Lanae, was born on November 5, 1976. In 1981, they moved to Valentine, Nebraska where they lived for 7 years. Son Larry was born in Valentine on November 28, 1982. In December 1988, Ralph and Leila moved their family to Alliance, where they made their home since. From 1992 to 2016, she worked in various capacities with the Alliance Times-Herald newspaper.
A hallmark of Leila was her whole-hearted loyalty and faithfulness. Whatever commitment Leila made and to whomever she made it, she made it with her whole heart and spirit and stayed the course. She chose to follow Jesus on November 8, 1951, and remained steadfastly true to her convictions and vows all the way, living a life of love and service.
Leila’s life is a remarkable witness of enduring love, tenacious strength, deep courage, fierce grace, and unyielding loyalty. Her devotion to caring for others and her unwavering dedication to her husband were unparalleled. In her quietly powerful way, she made an indelible and profound difference in this world and touched many hearts.
Leila had a joy for life, a smile that lit up her whole face, and a bursting laugh that filled the space around her. She loved the outdoors and being active, cooking for others and always making sure we had enough to eat, conversations with friends, and music. She loved children and delighted in her grandchildren.
She was a light in the world, a light to her family, friends, and to those who knew her in whatever capacity. Her light will continue to shine, and her spirit, her love, and her prayers will remain with us.
She is survived by her loving husband of 51 years, Ralph; her brother Dwain “Dewey” Reece, of Sac City, Iowa; children, Lanae Hall of Hastings, Nebraska, and Larry Merwin (Natalie), of Gering, Nebraska; grandchildren, Adair, Baylen, Shiloh (Corle’), and Mikol (Delys) (Lanae), and Ethan and Charlotte (Larry); nieces Mona Reece (Texas) and Kristine (Mark) Delaney (Park Rapids, Minnesota) , and nephew Trevor Reece (Lake City, Iowa); and numerous in-laws, cousins, and great-nieces and nephews including Jordan (Trevor) and Jenny (Kristine).
Preceding her in death were her parents, Mervil (1981) and Mildred (1997), as well as aunts and uncles.
May her memory be a blessing.
Funeral services will be Friday, March 25, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at the Bates-Gould Chapel. Burial will be in the Alliance Cemetery. Visitation will be one prior to service time on Friday.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com