A longtime member of Rosedale Reformed Bible Church, she served as deaconess and assistant Sunday School secretary, sang in the choir and played piano on occasion. She enjoyed sled dog racing with the North West Sled Dog Association, both racing dogs and as official time keeper for many years. Her favorite pastimes were reading, sewing, knitting, crocheting and spending time with her grandchildren and her dogs.
Merlene went to the Northwest from Brunswick, Maine. Born on August 30, 1940, she was the daughter of Clarence Tuttle Field and Vera Augusta (Moody) Field. She was a graduate of Brunswick High School, class of 1958, and attended Kings College.
Merlene was married to Arthur K. Neeland. Although later divorced, they remained friends until the end.
She is survived by her sons Daniel Neeland (wife Diana) of Gig Harbor, and Jon Neeland (wife Tammy) of Humptulips, WA; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; her brother Eldon Field (wife Glenna) of Harpswell, ME; sisters Clarice Allen of Eden, NC, and Carrie Kleiber of Ruckersville, VA; many nieces and nephews and many friends.
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