Meryl O’Connell, 93, passed away on April 12, 2018 as a result of injuries sustained in a fall. She was under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley at Sheyenne Crossings, West Fargo, ND.  Meryl was born in Eagle Butte, South Dakota on April 29, 1924, the only child of Rupert and Lena (Davidson) Williams. She was raised in Bowman, North Dakota and lived for 64 years in Valley City, North Dakota, with her husband, Jim O’Connell.

Meryl managed the Valley City State University Bookstore for 20 years.  She and Jim raised three children, and were active in the Congregational United Church of Christ, supported the community, and were devoted to VCSU’s development and its students. Meryl was an active member of Chapter Z, P.E.O. for 65 years.  She had a lifelong love of the piano and was an avid Ragtime musician.

Meryl’s family includes Sandy West (Dalton), Peggy Sola, Jim O’Connell (Nadine), grandchildren, Cindy Cruzado (Juan Carlos), Sean West (Jane), Tom Anundson, Joe Anundson (Teri); great grandchildren, Jessica and Diego Cruzado, Nicholas and Lauren West, Willa and Dorra Anundson;  nieces,  Joan Stromer and Jean Butcher; and nephew,  Jim Butcher.

A funeral service for Meryl  O’Conner, 93, West Fargo, North Dakota formerly of Valley City, North Dakota will be held 3 pm Thursday, April 19, 2018 at Congregational United Church of Christ, Valley City.  Visitation will be 1:00-3:00pm before the service at the church. A private burial will be at the North Dakota Veterans’ Cemetery, Mandan, North Dakota.

Memorials may be directed to the VCSU Foundation Jim and Meryl O’Connell Scholarship or to Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel, Valley City.  An online guestbook is available at www.oliver-nathanchapel.com