Merle M. Voigt, 84, a lifetime resident of Whitefish, died Sunday afternoon, Aug. 23, 2009, at her home, surrounded by her loving family. Merle was born in Whitefish on May 30, 1925, to Bill and Jen England and was raised and educated in Whitefish, graduating from Whitefish High School in the Class of 1944.

She attended beauty school in Spokane following high school.

She married the man she adored, Vincent Voigt, on March 4, 1946, in Whitefish and they remained here where they raised their family.

A devoted wife and mother, her relationships with family and friends were Merle's life, and her love and care served as the center of her entire family. Through the years, she enjoyed riding her bicycle, playing pinochle with her friends and bowling.

She had been a member of the Women of the Moose.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Jess; a sister, Jean; her husband, Vincent, in 1983; and son, Michael, in 1995.

Survivors include a son, Steven Voigt, of Bozeman; a daughter, Linda Stevens, of Kalispell; a daughter-in-law, Helen Voigt, of Everett, Wash.; a brother, Glenn England, and wife, Christle, of Longview, Wash.; grandchildren, Vickie, Ron, Julie, Jami and Karla; five great-grandchildren, Megan, Michael, Sara, Lucas and Taylor; numerous nieces and nephews, especially Cheryl and Bill Frye, and Cindy Voorhees; and special friend, Patty Flink.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Austin Funeral Home Chapel, with committal services following at Glacier Memorial Gardens.

Family and friends may call at the funeral home from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday.

Memorials may be made to Hospice or a charity of the donor's choice.