MASON CITY — Averil H. Merritt, a Mason City woman remembered for her work with preschool children, her devotion to family and her quiet service to others, has died.
Merritt died Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at her home. She was 90.
A funeral service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, July 6, 2026, at First Covenant Church, 411 S. Ohio Ave. in Mason City, with Pastor Steve Johnson officiating. Visitation is scheduled from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 5, 2026, at the church. Burial will be at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to the Environmental Defense Fund or Operation Christmas Child.
Born Averil Hartley Mosher on October 29, 1935, she grew up with deep family ties to farming. Her childhood included loss and hardship after her mother died when Averil was 7. She and her sister, Joan, later lived with relatives in a rural home built in the 1800s, where the girls walked about a mile to country school.
Merritt was active in 4-H as a young woman and showed Holstein cattle at fairs in southeast Iowa. After graduating from Mt. Pleasant High School, she attended Iowa State University on a 4-H scholarship and studied child development.
It was at Iowa State where she met Carlyle Merritt. The couple married on October 12, 1958.
Merritt graduated in 1957 with a degree in early childhood development and later worked as director of Civic League Nursery in Rochester, Minnesota.
The Merritts lived in several communities during their early years together, including Sigourney; Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Mechanicsville; Keota; Johnson Creek, Wisconsin; Sioux City; and Mason City.
Her career and calling centered on children. In Sioux City, she founded Perry Creek Pre-School. After moving to Mason City, she founded River City Pre-School, where her work again connected her with children, families and lasting friendships.
Merritt also helped raise her grandchildren and was involved in Merritt Computer Service, the family business that operated from the basement of the home.
Her family remembers her as a woman of faith and compassion who served others in steady, personal ways. She volunteered with North Iowa Hospice, visited people who could no longer easily leave their homes, sent cards, prepared food and baked for others.
She also loved music and played the pump organ.
Merritt was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Justine Mosher; her sister and brother-in-law, Joan and Gene Berkland; and her brother, Norval Mosher.
She is survived by her husband, Carlyle Merritt; her children, Erin Jantsch and Eric Merritt; six grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Major Erickson Funeral Home and Crematory is handling arrangements. To read more and see the full obituary, please click here.
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