Denise Merkl, 1949-2019 The Times-Independent – The Times-Independent

Denise Tangren Merkl, 70, died of cardiac arrest on Nov. 30, 2019, at Canyonlands Care Center. She passed without apparent pain or prolonged process, which is of great comfort to her family. Mrs. Merkl is a native of Moab and a descendant of Moab pioneers. Many of her relatives live in Moab, Salt Lake City and Provo.

Denise was born Sept. 22, 1949 in Salt Lake City, to Marvin Clair Tangren and Gayle Loveridge Tangren. She was the first child in a family of two girls and three boys. When she was 3, Denises family returned to Moab. Her father purchased a sloping piece of land four miles south of Moab, between Pack Creek and Spanish Valley Drive, and established Clairs Body Shop, an auto repair and salvage business.

Denise remembered her childhood vividly, from very early years onward. She once expressed that her childhood was the happiest time of her life. She grew up without television on 13 acres bordering Pack Creek, where her imagination was free to roam. The outdoors figured prominently in her experiences. There were oak groves, stands of squawbushes, big cottonwood trees, quail, wild cats living in junk cars, pet German shepherds, and a frog pond with bulrushes, cattails, frogs, water snakes and many birds. Denise loved to ride bikes, play tetherball and hopscotch. She easily learned to read and also loved to be read to by her mother. Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, and Little Women were some of the books she heard aloud.

Denise did not like to play with dolls; instead she built a playhouse, complete with floors and roofs. It was the same with a treehouse. At home, she was a leader and sometimes a rebel. With neighbor girl, Kathleen Keogh, she established a Girls Interest Club. She also wrote and directed summer plays with an all-children cast. Her productions included Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. She was uncommonly bright, a stellar elementary student, but always too shy to even raise her hand in class. At Grand County High School, she excelled in English, history, shorthand and typing. She wanted to become a secretary. She graduated in 1967 and for a brief time attended StevensHenager Business College in Ogden.

On May 24, 1968, in Reno, Nevada, Denise married George Phillips, of Booneville, Arkansas. The newlyweds lived in Moab and George worked at the Potash mine. They also lived in Fresno, California before making a final move to Glenwood Springs, Colorado, where George took a long-term position at the Mid-Continent Coal Mine. A son, Stephen Phillips, was born on May 20, 1972 in Glenwood Springs. Denise loved her son and worked hard to be a good mom. She helped Stephen with schoolwork, praised him when he did well and helped him when he struggled. She was an active homemaker, always beautifying her surroundings, painting and remodeling, planting flower gardens. She had a knack for making houseplants thrive and taught herself macram and made beautiful plant hangers and even a hanging end table.

Going to yard sales and collecting were two of Denises hobbies. Her study of historical subjects and thirst for learning was evident in her book choices and large library. She enjoyed music and amassed a wide variety; her collection of country-western 45s was impressive. Later in her life, she collected Blue Willow plates.

Denise and George divorced in 1981. After living in Grand Junction and Moab, Denise moved to Montrose, Colorado and managed a motel. She met Steve Merkl and the two became a couple. They bought a house together and started their own business, Image Systems Plus, selling new and remanufactured printers and printer supplies, and offering repair services. Denise was a frugal business manager; she did the marketing and accounting; their business prospered and had a loyal customer base. After a long courtship Denise and Steve confirmed their love by marrying on April 25, 2011.

From her late teens on, Denise struggled with alcohol abuse. She became totally disabled with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome in 2005. With Steves loving help and home health services, she lived at home in Montrose. Her pets, a female dog named Roger, and an orange cat named Morris were important companions; Denise loved and pampered them daily.

After Steves death in July 2012, Denise moved to Canyonlands Care Center in Moab. She maintained her curiosity about history and still loved to be read to. Her questions sent the staff at the care center on many Google searches. She had a penchant for words, appreciated the bon mot, puns, and proper English grammar. She never missed bingo and watched Jeopardy every day. Denise cared about the other residents of the care center. She had several special friends who added to the quality of her life.

Denise is survived by her son, Stephen Phillips (Marva), Salt Lake City, and her mother, Gayle Loveridge Tangren, of Moab. Surviving siblings are Monette Clark, sister, and brothers, Russell Tangren (Dianna) and Brent Tangren, all of Moab. Four grandchildren also survive her: Tyler, Corrine, Jayden, and Zachary Phillips. She is preceded in death by her husband, Steve Merkl; brother, Kay Clair (Kayc) Tangren, and her father, Marvin Clair Tangren.

A viewing was held from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at Spanish Valley Mortuary, 386 North, 100 West, Moab. A funeral service followed at 11 a.m. Interment was at Sunset Memorial Gardens. The service was informal, with a eulogy and then open time for the congregation to share memories and thoughts about Denise. All were welcome.

Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.SpanishValleyMortuary.com.

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Denise Merkl, 1949-2019 The Times-Independent - The Times-Independent