Carol Mercill, 90

Carol Grace Mercill, 90, passed away Monday, April 20, 2026 in Sagle, Idaho.

She was born Aug. 30, 1935, to John “Jack” Dawson Loftin and Grace Florence Stuebe Loftin at the Norwegian-American Hospital in Chicago, Ill.

Her father was a professional carpenter and her only brother, James L. Loftin, became a carpenter after serving in the military. Her mother was a businesswoman that owned a travel agency. It was for everyone, but most of her clients were Hollywood stars. She published a magazine and traveled throughout Mexico. She was a part of putting Encinita, Calif., on the map. As a young woman, Carol grew up working the linotype for her mother’s magazine and traveled with her mother throughout Mexico.

As a child, Carol’s parents moved to Arizona. She contracted Valley Fever, which her parents felt weakened her heart. It took several months to recover. 

She was outgoing and had several friends. She kept in touch with childhood friends to the very end. Carol traveled the pageant road and became a model/spokesperson for several businesses.

Carol met James Mercill and married. They had no children. They moved from California to Ovando, Mont. They were partners and mangers of the Lake Upsata Guest Ranch. They had rustic cabins and restaurant/bar at the lake. People flew in from all over the United States. Carol had an awesome voice and sang for and with the customers. Jim was a hunting guide. They had cattle on the ranch. On nice evenings, Carol would take her guitar out near the corral and sing to the cattle. The cattle would all come to her and listen. 

They retired to Cabinet Gorge area in Idaho in 1988. They both loved the area and they made many good friends. Carol was a part of the Wednesday Women’s, Scrappy Stampers, and an avid reader, as the Clark Fork Library could attest to. She liked to try her hand at poetry and short stories.

She was especially thankful to four community families that helped her these last several years as her health kept declining.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a brother and niece Debbie.

She is survived by a close cousin, Judy Stuebe; two great-nieces, Sandra and Ana; a great-nephew, Greg; and three great-great-nieces, Veronica, Desirae and Liliana.

A celebration of life will be held later in the year.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Carol’s online memorial at lakeviewfuneral.com and sign her guest book.