Merdell “Dell” Merna (Ferdig) Long

Merdell Merna (Ferdig) Long

June 29, 1942 – January 9, 2025

 

Merdell Merna Long, 82 of Queen City, Missouri passed away on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at the Centerville Specialty Care Center in Centerville, Iowa where she had been a resident since June 3, 2024.

The daughter of Melvin Eugene and Sedy Merna (Smith) Ferdig, she was born on June 29, 1942 on the Ferdig farm northwest of Lancaster, Missouri.  She was a 1960 graduate of Lancaster High School in Lancaster, Missouri.  Dell was married to William Bernand and to this union, William Gary and Patrick were born. On April 9, 1968 in the Quad Cities, Iowa, she was united in marriage to Richard Eugene Long and to this union Tamara Ellen and Pamela Dell were born.

Dell is survived by her husband, Richard of Queen City, Missouri; her children, William Bernand and wife, Jessica of Minnesota, Patrick Bernand of Queen City, Missouri, Tamara Eason and husband, Gordon of Queen City, Missouri and Pamela Hansen and husband, Joseph of Eloy, Arizona; 15 grandchildren; 32 great grandchildren; siblings, Martin Ferdig and wife, Linda of Queen City, Missouri, Nancy McCallum of Lancaster, Missouri, Charles Ferdig and wife, Debra of Lancaster, Missouri, Carl Ferdig and wife, Lynesa of Purdin, Missouri, Steve Ferdig and wife, Katie of Kahoka, Missouri, Sandra  Williams of Lancaster, Missouri, Janet Shilling and husband, Bill of Bloomfield, Iowa and Fred Ferdig of Lancaster, Missouri; sister-in-law, Ruthie Ferdig of Ottumwa, Iowa; brother-in-law, William Holcomb of Lancaster, Missouri; numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and other family members.

Dell is preceded by her parents and siblings, Marvin Ferdig, Carol Nolan and husband, George, Lillie Swearingin, Patsy Evans and Susan Holcomb.

Dell lived in Queen City and was a member of Queen City First Baptist church until she was unable to go due to declined health. She was known for her caring and giving nature. She opened her house to everyone in need. She was the most giving person around and never said no to anyone that needed a meal or a place to stay. She was the family rock to most. Any family or friend that needed a helping hand, she gave. For most, she was a mom to everyone.

A visitation for Merdell will be held on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at the Norman Funeral Home in Lancaster, Missouri between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.  Following visitation, a Celebration of Life will be held at the Glenwood Full Gospel Church in Glenwood, Missouri with Jeremy Ferdig officiating. Memorials have been established for the family.  Burial of the cremains will be at a later date on the Ferdig farm northwest of Lancaster, Missouri.  Online condolences may be expressed to the family by logging on to normanfh.com.  Arrangements are under the direction of Norman Funeral Home in Lancaster, Missouri.