Merle Marie (Miles) Melcher

Merle Marie Miles Melcher died May 30, 2020 at her home in Fairbury, NE.  She was 92 years old.  Merle was born at Jerico Springs, MO at her Grandparents home, John & Ella Lester on February 3, 1928 to Austin & Janie Mae Lester Miles.

Merle was raised in a sod house on a ranch in the Sandhill’s two miles northeast of Brownlee, NE until 1938.  At that time the family purchased the Higgans Ranch, southeast of Brownlee.

Merle rode a horse to school in Brownlee.  She later boarded in the Brownlee Hotel for one year, then for her last two years of High School she boarded in Thedford, graduating in 1945.  At the age of 17 years old Merle became a Country School Teacher.  She even taught her two younger brothers, Sam & Bernard.  She taught a total of 9 ½ years in Cherry County.  Other education Merle received was 2 summers at Kearney State College, and one year at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.

On May 28, 1955 Merle married James Joseph Melcher, a neighbor.  To this union 2 children were born, Bill & Karla.  In 1964 the young family moved to Chadron, NE after buying the Grand Motel.  In 1971 they purchased the Capri Motel in Fairbury, NE and moved there.

In 1981 Merle attended SCC Beatrice, NE and received her LPN.

Jim & Merle enjoyed traveling and they made it to every state except Hawaii.  With their daughter Karla marrying Tim, a USA Marine, they traveled overseas to Japan even.

In 1988 the couple bought a farm east of Fairbury where they enjoyed raising cattle.  A family tradition was their spring branding.

Merle enjoyed writing letter and poems, telling stories, and bragging about her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She always had many stories of the good old days that included her siblings, fact or fiction. She also loved attending her grandchildren’s sporting events.

Survivors include her son Bill & Cindy Melcher of Fairbury, Karla & Tim Melander of Farmersville, TX, grandchildren Holly Melcher of Lincoln,  Jessica Melcher of Endicott, James, Jacob & Joseph Melcher all of Fairbury, Jeremy & Michelle Melander, and great Grandchildren Kara-Lyne, Lillian and Marley of Frisco, TX, Grandson Ryan & Lynne Melander of Minot, ND, brothers Sam & Charlotte Miles, Bernard & Lovella Miles, sisters-in law Kathleen Miles & Rose Miles and many nieces & nephews.

Merle was preceded in death by her husband James, her parents, brothers Lester & Robert & sister Eldora.