Merrilee (Boucher) Wyatt died March 21, 2024, at age 90 in Santa Rosa, Calif. Merrilee was born Aug. 11, 1933, in Bristow, Oklah. to Douglas and Marguerite (Ault) Boucher. She was the oldest daughter in a family of four children and a self-proclaimed “tomboy” as a child. She loved to share stories of growing up on the family property they called “Boucherville” in Fair Oaks, Calif., surrounded by animals, gardens, orchards and numerous family members. Merrilee married her high school sweetheart, Albert Wyatt, in 1950. They had celebrated 70 years of marriage at the time of his passing in 2020. They were blessed with two sons, six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and two great-great-granddaughters.
Together, Merrilee and Albert, owned and operated several successful businesses throughout their lives. While living in the Orangevale and Folsom, Calif. area, the young couple owned grocery stores, a western store and a lumber processing business. In the 1970s they relocated to Cave Junction where they owned I.V. Video, a mainstay in that community for over 20 years. In “retirement” they started a hay brokering business and enjoyed dabbling in the fed cattle markets. Merrilee worked quietly and diligently alongside Albert in all their endeavors and was key to their business success over the years. In 2015, they finally truly retired and relocated to Lakeview, Ore. to be closer to family.
In her spare time, Merrilee had a gift for oil painting and is remembered for being an amazing cook. Her recipes and memories of her Thanksgiving spreads will be treasured by all who experienced them! She enjoyed gardening and loved to comb estate sales looking for those special antiques for her many collections. She had a special relationship with her sons, and they were always able to tease her, rile her up and make her laugh all at the same time. Merrilee had an incredible, quiet strength and always gave credit to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for the blessings in her life. She was a member of the Assembly of God Church in Cave Junction and the Open Bible Church in Lakeview.
Merrilee was preceded in death by her husband, Albert; her sons Alan and Gerald; three infant sons; and her brother, Fred Boucher. She is survived by her siblings Bruce Boucher of Ajo, Ariz., and Sandy Ahlers of Santa Rosa, Calif.; daughters-in-law Vikki Wyatt of Lakeview, Ore., and Debbie Wyatt of Templeton, Calif. Additionally, she will be missed and remembered by her grandchildren and their families: Leigh Ann (James) Evans, Wells (Kelly) Wyatt, Gwinne (Chris) Porter, Dan Wyatt, James Wyatt and Jay Wyatt; as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Robert Wilson Tucker Jr, 62, of Cave Junction, died Feb. 20, 2024, at his home.
A potluck Celebration of Life will begin at 2 p.m., April 10, 2024, at Bridgeview Community Church, 5181 Holland Loop Road, Cave Junction, OR 97523. Please bring a story and a dish to share.
Arrangements with Illinois Valley Funeral Directors.
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