LaNae Workman Merkley

LaNae Workman Merkley, age 80, passed away at the home of her daughter and son-in-law of natural causes on Tuesday, February 4, 2014 exactly two years and four months after losing her loving husband. LaNae was born March 28, 1933 in Vernal, Utah to Leland and Sarah Oaks Workman. She was the third of seven children and the oldest daughter. She was raised in Glines Ward (Skeeterville). At a young age, due to the illness of her mother, she learned to cook, sew and raise a family. She was always a hard worker. On March 28, 1950 LaNae married the love of her life, best friend and lifelong companion J.N. (June) Merkley. In October, 2012 they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Vernal Utah Temple. Together they had one daughter, JuNae. June and LaNae were married for 61 years. Together they worked their ranch In Dry Fork until they sold it in 1976. They also owned and operated Dun Broke Feed and Seed in Maeser. She loved being on various mountains herding cattle with June for themselves and other local ranchers. LaNae always raised a beautiful vegetable garden and shared what she raised with her family and anyone else. LaNae was a very excellent cook and you never came to her home and left hungry. Her home was open to everyone, especially her family. She was affectionately known to everyone as Nae or Aunt Nae. Many nieces and nephews stayed at Nae and Junes house. The light of her life was her family, especially her three grandsons and then her great-grandchildren. LaNae loved bowling with her sisters, camping, fishing, and hunting with her family. She was a member of the Dinah Spurs Riding Club for many years. She was involved in 4-H teaching many young women to cook and sew, and an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. LaNae was preceded in death by her husband, June and her parents, Lee and Sarah Workman. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, JuNae and Creg Cook of Dry Fork; grandsons, Lex (Liz) Cook of Burleson, Texas; Rory (Melanie) Cook; Brandon (Tamera) Cook all of Vernal, Utah; 15 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brothers and sisters, Bill (Uvon) Workman; Ted (Donna) Workman; Marie (Ned) Gardner; Deann Stringham; Nita (Kent) Boren all of Vernal, Utah; Jim (Marilyn) Workman of Woods Cross, Utah. Funeral services were held Friday, February 7, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at the Maeser Stake Center. Burial was in the Maeser Fairview Cemetery. The family would like to thank Dr. Shurtliff, his staff and Good Shepherds Hospice nurses, Rachel and Savanna. Service were under the direction of Blackburn Vernal Mortuary. Friends and family may call Thursday evening from 6-8 pm at the Church, and also Friday from 12:45 - 1:45p.m.