Linda V. Merrill, age 73 of Drayton, ND passed away in her favorite rocking chair surrounded by her family on Sunday, April 24, 2022.

Linda Vivian (Miller) Merrill was born June 29, 1948 in Grafton North Dakota. She was the first born child of Glenn and Vivian Miller. "Linnie" grew up on a farm outside of Grafton where she was blessed with a brother, Rande and a sister, Lisa. Linda could always be found outside playing in the dirt, digging through her mom's garden, or helping her dad in the field. Some of her favorite memories involved bailing alfalfa with her dad and driving the pickup through the field.

Linda graduated from Grafton High School in 1966 and earned a Bachelor's degree in Education from Mayville State University in 1970. After college, she met Robert Merrill while lifeguarding at the Drayton Pool. The two were married on August 13, 1971 in Drayton, ND. Together, they raised three children, Jason Robert, Jennifer Lynne and Corey Anne. Linda taught piano lessons and was a substitute teacher before securing a permanent teaching position at Drayton Public School in 1978. She touched the lives of hundreds of students and staff during her 36 year career.

Teaching wasn't the only way Linda served her community. She joined the Drayton Ambulance Service as an EMT in 1981. In 1987, she became North Dakota's first volunteer paramedic when she graduated, top of her class, from MedCenter One in Bismarck. She always welcomed people into our home to help treat an illness or heal a wound. She passed on this passion of service to many members of the community, teaching them how to become EMT's, before retiring in 2001. Additionally, Linda played the organ for Trinity Lutheran Church for over 40 years, as well as stepping in for other organists of different churches when needed. She was a steward of the community, earning the 2021 Community Award. She was also known to paint a few houses over the years, owning and operating her own painting business, Merrill Paint & Paper, a family business that employed her mother and each of her children over the years. Most recently, Linda showcased her artistic talents through her crafting business, Framed Nature. It is obvious that she didn't like to sit still, in fact she was known to watch tv, knit and read a book all at the same time.

She is already dearly missed by her husband of 50 years, Robert; son Jason (Trina) Merrill; daughters Jennifer (Nick) Kraabel and Corey Merrill; mother, Vivian Miller; sister Lisa Miller; 8 grandchildren, Adriana Iverson, Jacob Merrill, Camryn Iverson, Mya Iverson, Elizabeth Kraabel, Isabel Kraabel, Mya Kraabel, and Riley Kraabel; sister-in-law Sandy (Craig) Houska; nephews Steven (Andria) Miller, David (Sara) Miller and Jeff (Cassidy) Miller. Waiting for her in heaven are her father, Glenn Miller; brother, Rande Miller; father-in-law, Bennie Merrill; mother-in-law, Dorothy Merrill; and sister-in-law, Karen Merrill.

Funeral services will be held at the Drayton Public School gymnasium on Saturday, May 7 at 3:00. Interment will be at Acton Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the school for one hour prior to the service. Memorials can be given to the Drayton Ambulance Service