Merrill Max Lala, age 73, lifelong resident of Circle, MT, passed away Monday, August 17, 2009 at his residence in McCone County Nursing Home. .
Merrill was born on June 10, 1936 in Circle to Clarence Max and Iva Joel (Collins) Lala.
He spent all his life in the Circle community, attending schools and completing the eighth grade. He worked as a Farm and Ranch Hand and doing construction work.
You could also find Merrill working on cars.
In 1961, at age 25, he was in a bad car accident and was in a coma for five weeks, but his parents brought him home and cared for him. That same year his dad passed away and his mother took care of him until 1989 when he moved to the McCone County Nursing Home. While he was still at home he enjoyed walking to the local movie theater, family gatherings, fishing and playing cards.
The nursing home became his home and Merrill enjoyed bingo and doing puzzles. He enjoyed all the activities there but his favorite was the annual Grandparents Day when the fourth graders came and adopted grandparents and did things with them all year. He also liked visiting with people and getting out for family gatherings and was a member of First Lutheran Church all his life.
Merrill is survived by his two brothers, Bob Lala of Billings, MT and Clarence (Donna) Lala of Circle; a brother –in-law, Wayne (Darlene) Pawlowski of Circle and his nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Iva Lala, grandparents, a sister, Laurel and a sister-in-law, Gloria.
Visitation will be from 4-8p.m. Friday August 21, 2009 at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Circle, MT. A Funeral Service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, August 22, 2009 at First Lutheran Church in Circle. Interment will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Circle followed by a reception at the church.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.stevensonandsons.com or Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel, PO Box 130, Wolf Point, MT 59201. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.