Obituary of Muriel "Mert" E Raines

Muriel Ester Fulks was born November 8th, 1924 on the Fulks homestead near Turon, Kansas. She was the third child of John Wallace Fulks and Adelia Louise Harvey Fulks. She passed January 18th, 2018 at the Care Center in Hugo, Colorado with family by her side. Mert grew up a “tomboy” at heart, romping around the family farm with her three brothers. She graduated from Turon High School in 1942 alongside her treasured, sisterlike friends who referred to themselves as the “Big Five.” Mert then pursued a teaching certificate at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas, where she joined the Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority and made dear, lifelong friends. The onset of World War II redirected her home where she contributed to the war effort by working in a glider factory in Hutchinson, Kansas. Mert was engaged to her high school sweetheart, Marion Joe Raines, shortly after he returned from the war. They began their lifelong journey together in Green Mountain Falls, Colorado where they were joined in marriage on August 20th, 1946. The young couple made their home in Limon, Colorado and were blessed with four children; Kathleen, Michael, Sandra and Sidney. A dedicated mother and homemaker, Mert was also a partner in their farming and ranching operation in Lincoln and Washington Counties. She enjoyed bookkeeping and always kept on top of the commodity markets and her investments. Mert had a creative nature which she inherited from her own mother. She was a talented seamstress making her children’s clothes and teaching her daughters to sew. She also enjoyed painting china and was known as a resourceful cook. Mert expressed her individuality through a playful sense of style that was all her own. Being an adventurous spirit, Mert wanted to embrace all that life had to offer. That passion, shared by her husband, led her to learn to fly and inspired countless domestic and world travels. Those treks included waterskiing, camping, and ski trips to their mountain home in Breckenridge as well as numerous excursions in their motorhome. Later in retirement they purchased a winter residence in Sun Lakes, Arizona where Mert could enjoy the warm climate. The Limon community was important to Mert. She was an active member of the Limon United Methodist Church and the Tamarack Golf Club. She was also honored to serve on the Limon Doctor Committee and as secretary of the Limon Chamber of Commerce. During her 70 years in Limon, she forged many long and cherished friendships. Mert delighted in socializing with her lady friends through bowling, golfing, playing bridge and “wine ladies.” As a couple, Mert and Marion enjoyed good times and made everlasting memories through get-togethers and Friday evening outings with many remarkable couples. Family was very dear to her heart, from her roots in Kansas to her enthusiasm for her great-grandchildren. Mert was a devoted daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and a loving lifelong partner to Marion. Their adoring commitment to one another was an example and inspiration to all. He was her warmth and she was his sunshine. Inseparable, Mert and Marion moved to Carla’s Cluster in 2014 as her dementia progressed from its onset in 2010. Her cheerful nature and infectious smile lifted so many hearts even in her final days. Mert was preceded in death by her parents John and Adelia Fulks; brothers, John and Roger; son, Mike; sisters-in-law, Charlene Fulks (Jack) and Donna Raines (Bob). She is survived by her husband of 71 years, Marion. She is also survived by her brother, Jack; sister-in-laws, Dorothy Fulks and Fern Fulks and brother-in-law, Bob Raines; three children and their spouses: Kathy Clemons (Bud), Sandi Collie (Jim), Sid Raines (Penni); grandchildren, Malinda Rey (James), Colleen McCormick (Mike), Jamie Overley (Ryan), and Amanda Raines; great-grandchildren, Sophie and Connor McCormick and Julia Rey. Memorials in Mert’s honor can be made to either: Limon United Methodist Church at PO Box 178, Limon, Colorado 80828 or the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation for which gifts can be made via phone 800-259-4636.