Merna Imogene Booker Stuckert was born on November 27, 1913 in Heartwell, NE.  She passed away in Hutchinson, KS n May 31, 2010 at the age of 96.   Cremation has taken place in Hutchinson, KS and burial will be at the Kimball Cemetery in Kimball, NE.

She and her parents, Luther and Ethel Booker, lived in Lincoln, NE and Friend, NE until 1919 when they moved to a farm in Banner County north of Bushnell, NE.  She attended high school for one year in Scottsbluff, NE and transferred to Bushnell High School where she graduated in 1930.  On April 10, 1931 she married Oris (Buck) Stuckert who was also a 1930 graduate of Bushnell High School.  They were married at the Methodist Parsonage in Kimball, NE  and made their home in Bushnell, and had two children, Marilyn Rae and Jerry LaVern.

Merna was a postal clerk in Bushnell and Kimball for 25 years, retiring on Dec. 31, 1977.  She moved to Hutchinson, KS on July 18, 1999.

Merna was preceded in death by her husband Buck, her parents, Luther and Ethel Booker, her daughter Marilyn Petersen, brother Melvern Booker, sister Margaret Rohrer, a sister-in-law Helen Brown Booker,  brothers-in-law Bill Hughbanks and Millard Rohrer, four grandchildren and three nephews.

Merna is survived by her son Jerry and his wife Shannon of Hutchinson, KS a sister Ardis Highbanks of Gering, NE., eight grandchildren, one step-grandchild, five great-grandchildren, five great-great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Merna loved to send and receive cards and letters.  She never forgot an anniversary, birthday or new baby’s name.  It was through Merna that her family stayed connected.  She will be dearly missed by family and friends.

A graveside memorial service and celebration of her life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday June 12, 2010 at the Kimball Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association in care of Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home and Crematory, Hutchinson, KS   To leave a message for the family, visit: www.Penwell-Gable-Hutchinson.com