Funeral for Dowling Junior: ‘Abrupt End’ to ‘A Beautiful Life’

Funeral services will be held Friday for a Dowling Catholic High School junior who died Friday of injuries sustained after her car reportedly crossed the median and collided with another car on Iowa Highway 141 near Grimes on May 24.

Allyson Merry, 18, was a Russian immigrant who had adjusted to life in the United States, the Rev. Eugene Koch, told the Des Moines Register. Koch met her eight years ago when he was the priest at Assumption Catholic Church in Granger, where Dan and Janet Merry of Granger, Allyson’s adoptive parents, are parishioners.

“It’s just so sad to see such a beautiful life come to such an abrupt end,” Koch told the newspaper.

In online condolences at Isles Funeral Home, Allyson was remembered by friends of the family. “ We know she added immeasurable joy to the many lives she touched,” wrote Rita and Paul Stumpf.

Allyson was born in Petrozavodsk, Russia on April 26, 1995. She was adopted and arrived in the United States on Jan. 21, 2006. Allyson lived with her family in Granger and attended Assumption Grade School before enrolling at Dowling, where she was a member of the cross country team.

In addition to her parents, she is survived by her brothers Ian, also at home in Granger, and Dane and his wife, Megan, of Omaha, NE; her grandparents, Shirley Merry of Waterloo and Richard and Lenore Fiedler of Scranton; 22 aunts and uncles, and 36 first cousins.

Visitation is from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Assumption Catholic Church in Granger. A vigil service will be held at 7 p.m.

Following the funeral Friday, burial will be at the Beaver Catholic Cemetery near Granger.

Memorial contributions may be made to Assumption Catholic Church in care of "Allyson Merry Scholarship Fund". Online condolences will be welcomed at IlesCares.com.