Merfeld, Carolyn S.

Carolyn S. Merfeld, 67, of Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010, at Mercy, Iowa City, after a courageous battle with lung cancer. Services: 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 15, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, by Chaplain Harold Schutte. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home and also one hour before the service. Burial: Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

Born Oct. 1, 1943, in Cedar Rapids, to Clifford and Virginia Cheatham, Carolyn was a 1961 graduate of Cedar Rapids Jefferson High School. She married Ron Findley on June 10, 1961.

She later married Roger Merfeld on May 13, 1984, with whom she made her life until his unexpected passing on Sept. 21, 2010.

Survivors include a son, Jeffrey M. Findley (Sondra) and his children, Ashley, Adam and Aubrey Findley; a daughter, Kristin M. Sells (Erik) and her children, Haley and Hannah Long; a brother, Joseph Cheatham; and a sister, Barbara Kline.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister, Dena Clark.

Carolyn's passions were antiques and collectibles. She previously owned and operated Gingerbread in the Czech Village, and was a regular proprietor at various flea markets in the Midwest.

Carolyn also had a strong affection for animals of all types, caring for her numerous pets as well as those abandoned by others.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the family or your local Humane Society.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Janet Merfeld and her caring staff at the Hall Radiation Center; the Mercy Pain Clinic, Oncology Associates and everyone at Iowa Hospice. She considered them friends and felt her life was enriched by their care and compassion.

Please sign the online guest book and share a memory about Carolyn at