Merilyn R. Dahlquist, age 91, a resident of Monarch Landing in Naperville, IL, died peacefully at home on Saturday, February 24, 2024.  She was born August 16, 1932, in Little Falls, Minnesota to Rev. Lloyd and Ruth Dahlquist.  A devout Christian, she attributed her vibrant faith to her parents' loving upbringing, always ready to invite others into the family of Jesus.

Merilyn earned her Masters in English and went on to teach English at Glenbrook North High School in Northbrook, Illinois for her entire teaching career.  An avid tennis player, she coached the girls tennis team at Glenbrook North High School.

Merilyn, and Joyce Albrecht, her friend, tennis partner, and fellow traveling adventurer, toured extensively throughout the world, one time taking a four month trip around the world visiting Central Europe, India, Hong Kong, and Japan.   Other trips the two shared were to Scandinavia, Switzerland, Austria, Tanzania, and Egypt.  Merilyn also traveled throughout the United States, but particularly loved the Boulder, Colorado area.  As an avid amateur photographer, she captured many beautiful photos of the places she visited.

Merilyn was a genuinely sweet, loving person.  Whenever she met new people, they immediately liked her.  As a result, she counted many people as her friends.

She is survived by her dearest friend of 50 years, Geraldine Miller, also a resident of Monarch Landing in Naperville, Illinois; her cousins, Jim Cox of Phoenix, Arizona; Charlotte (Harold) Driver of Little Rock, Arkansas; Jerry (Jackie) Ostrom of Mexico, Missouri;  Roger (Mary) Ostrom of Lee's Summit, Missouri; Jane (Cecil) Soerries of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and numerous second cousins and friends.

As much as she enjoyed life on this earth, she looked forward to her heavenly home with family, friends, and her many fur babies who have gone before her.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 8, 2024, in the Fireside Cafe at Monarch Landing, 2255 Monarch Drive, Naperville, IL 60563 at 1:30 p.m. with Pastor Cheryl Baird officiating. Interment will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery in Kansas City, Missouri at a later date.

Family and friends may sign a guestbook at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.