Larene Janette Hale Merritt, wife, mother, sister, and grandmother, passed away on March 17, 2026, after a courageous seven‑year battle with metastatic breast cancer. She was 76 years old.

Larene was born on August 30, 1949, in Star Valley, Wyoming, to Wilford “C” Hale and Janette Woodfield Hale. The youngest of three daughters, she spent her childhood in both North Ogden, Utah, and Star Valley, Wyoming. She cherished working with her family on the farm, and helping in her Uncle La Mar Hale’s store. She had a beautiful soprano voice, and sang in several choirs. She found joy in 4‑H, where she showed animals and entered sewing projects. She graduated from Star Valley High School in 1967 and later attended Weber State College, where she affiliated with Lambda Delta Sigma.

On April 4, 1968, Larene married Clyde Erwin Merritt in the Idaho Falls Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑Day Saints. They started their family in Blackfoot, Idaho, where Clyde taught elementary school and their first son Ralph (1969) was born. They later returned to Star Valley to help with the family dairy farm, welcoming more children, Carol (1970), John (1972), Ben (1973), Becky (1974) and Lisa (1978).

After a brief move to Kennewick, Washington, the family returned once more to Turnerville, Wyoming, and the dairy farm. Their family continued to grow with the births of Judy (1981), Sam (1982), Ray (1983), and Steve (1985).

In 1989, the family moved to Logan, Utah, so Larene could complete her education. She graduated from Utah State University in 1993 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education. She went on to teach as the Art Specialist at Providence Elementary, where she loved helping children discover creativity through many forms of art. Alongside her teaching, she supported Clyde in their yard‑care business for many years. She served in various callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including scouting, primary, relief society, chorister, teacher, and ward and stake missionary.

Larene’s talents were abundant and varied. She found joy in drawing, painting, singing, sewing, knitting, crochet, photography, embroidery, quilting, reading, gardening, and creating beautiful floral arrangements. She loved studying the scriptures and doing family history work.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Wilford and Janette Hale; her sister, Marie Hale Cook; and her daughter, Judy Merritt.

Larene is survived by her husband, Clyde Erwin Merritt; her children: Ralph Hale Merritt (Karen), Carol Merritt, John Hale Merritt (Kathryn), Ben Hale Merritt (Cathy), Becky Merritt Kowallis (Darin), Lisa Merritt Clawson (Justin), Sam Hale Merritt, Ray Hale Merritt, and Steve Hale Merritt (Amie); 20 grandchildren; 15 great‑grandchildren; and her sister Marilyn Hale Shumway.

There will be a viewing on Monday, March 23, 2026 from 5:00-7:00 PM at Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 E Center Logan. The funeral will be held on Tuesday, March 24 at 11:00 AM at the Logan LDS 43rd Ward, 1255 N 600 E. A viewing will precede the funeral at 9:30 AM. Interment will be at the Logan Cemetery.

Memories and condolences may be shared and expressed at www.allenmortuaries.com.