Merryrose Richardson Wurtz

Former Bonners Ferry resident Merryrose Richardson Wurtz of Park Ridge, Ill., died Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009.

Merryrose was born Feb. 2, 1936, in Potlatch to Van and Gladys Richardson. The family moved to Porthill and then to Bonners Ferry in 1948.

Merryrose graduated third in her class from Bonners Ferry High School in 1953. She was active in numerous school activities, including the school newspaper and annual, majorettes, drama club and Badgerettes.

In 1953, Merryrose married Francis Ronald Wurtz, who had been stationed at the former U.S. Air Force site at Yaak, Mont.

The couple then lived in Chicago and Park Ridge.

Merryrose earned an associate’s in business with the Dean’s Award for high honors from the City College of Chicago as well as the insurance industry’s Chartered Property & Casualty Underwriter and Associate in Risk Management designations.

She served as staff vice president of risk management for Allied Products Corporation of Chicago for a number of years.

Merryrose is survived by her children Diane Kenyon of Salem, Ore., Brian Wurtz and wife, Lesley, of Chicago and Laura Wurtz of Round Lake Beach, Ill.;, five grandchildren; and a brother, Jim Richardson and his wife, Kathie, of Bonners Ferry.

Merryrose was preceded in death by a daughter, Linda Wurtz Steward; her husband; parents; a sister Betty Gross; and a niece Robin Butler.

Services were held Sept. 21 at Cooney Funeral Home in Park Ridge. Donations are being accepted by Fry Healthcare Foundation, P.O. Box 955, Bonners Ferry, Idaho, 83805-0955.