Merry Carlene Ward, age 66 of Edina, MO passed away Thursday, September 29, 2022, at her home north of Edina, MO.   Merry was born February 27, 1956, in Edina, MO the daughter of Orval B. and Joan Kiesow Hustead.  She was united in marriage to Robert (Bob) Ward on June 10, 1977, in Edina, MO.

Surviving are her husband Bob Ward of Edina, MO, three children Joey Ann (Terry) Hintz of Nekoosa, WI, Robert (Maranda) Ward of Edina, MO, and Sarah (Bobby) Huffman of Edina, MO, two sisters, Sherry (Rene) Johnson of Paulina, IA, Terry (Mike) Schrage of Edina, MO, half-sisters Rhonda Hall of Kirksville, MO and Sondra (Mike) Fulton of LaBelle, MO, one step sister Linda (Tom) Vozza of Kirksville, MO, her mother-in-law Marjorie Ward of Rutledge, MO and sister-in-law Connie Ward of Rutledge, MO, eleven grandchildren, Jessica Moore, Kory Hintz, Logan Hintz, Preston Parton, Wesley Ward, Elijah Ward, Mattie Ward, Taylor (Lane) Clary, Max Montgomery, Christopher Huffman and Mya Huffman, three great grandchildren Liam Hintz, Warren Clary and Walker Clary, several nieces and nephews and good friends Judy Callahan, Joan McCarty and Karen Huffman.

Merry was preceded in death by her parents, step father Ray Hamlin, father-in-law Lloyd Ward, brother-in-law Ray Ward, step brother Leonard Hamlin, and grandparents Carl and Hallie Kiesow and Burley and Emma Hustead.

Merry received her education in Edina Elementary School and attended Knox County High School.  She was employed for thirty years at the Knox County Nursing Home in Edina in housekeeping and as a CNA until her retirement.   She was a member of the Knox County Memorial Post # 4822 VFW Ladies' Auxiliary and Eastern Star Chapter # 343 of Rutledge, MO.  Merry enjoyed crocheting, bowling and spending time with her husband, family and grandkids.

Services will be held Saturday October 1, 2022, in the Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Edina, MO.  Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. followed by a Celebration of Life at 11 a.m.  Reverend Graig Connell will officiate the service.

Burial will be held at a later date in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery at Jacksonville, MO.

Honorary bearers will be her grandchildren.

Memorials are suggested to the Edina United Methodist Church or the Donor's Choice.  Memorials may be left at or mailed to Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1, Edina, MO 63537.