Lois Merriman was born Feb. 17, 1927, in Pendleton, Oregon, to Glen and Dellos Heval Long. She graduated from Pendleton High School in 1944 and began working in an office position at First National Bank. In December 1948, she married Edward M. Merriman.
They moved to La Grande while Ed was finishing college, where she continued to work at the same bank. After graduating, they decided to move again to Baker where Ed began his first teaching job and Lois worked at Baker Bank.
The couple moved back to Pendleton in 1951, with Lois working in office management and later retiring from her secretarial job at West Hills School in 1985.
Lois gave birth to two children, Brent and Karra, who loved spending time outdoors and on family camping trips. She enjoyed traveling with friends, gardening, morning walks and volunteering at Heritage Station and the First Presbyterian Church.
She is survived by her son, Brent Merriman, Pendleton, Oregon; and daughter, Karra Merriman Crawford, Happy Valley, Oregon.