Steven Ross Merrill

January 17, 1952 – October 9, 2026

Steve Merrill

Steven Merrilll died peacefully in his home on October 9, 2026.  He was 74 years old.

Steven was born on January 17, 1952 in St. Albans Vermont, son of Beverly and Leeland Merrill.  Shortly after, the family moved to Minnesota and Steve spent his childhood years in the cities of Mankato and LaCrescent where he excelled in school and sports; baseball (he had a mean curveball), wrestling and football.  Steve attended Luther College  and the University of Minnesota.  He served in the Air Force from 1972 – 1977. After his discharge, Steve moved to Tucson Arizona to get away from those cold Minnesota winters.  He enjoyed all the outdoor beauty; hiking, biking and running marathons in the warm Arizona sun.  He attended Pima Community College and worked for Hughes Aircraft until 1989 when he relocated to the Seattle area to work in the engineering lab at Crane Aerospace and Electronics, Eldec. This is where he met his spouse of almost 30 years, Nancy.

Steve loved sports and any kind of physical activity, especially riding his bike, which he continued even when his physical disabilities limited how much he could do and he sometimes had to call Nancy to come pick him up on the bike trail. He took pleasure in baseball games, art, classical music, and a good glass of wine. He enjoyed spending a day with Nancy to shop, see a movie, go to a concert or a meal out and liked spending time with his friends debating politics.  He always complimented any meal by saying this is the “best ever!”.

Steve is survived by his spouse Nancy, step-children Barbara (Ken), Jesse (Shannon), Jeff (Amelia), grandchildren Kaitlyn, Shayde, Ayden, Cordie, mother Beverly, brother Jeff (Theresa), sister Nancy (Thomas), nephew, Jake (Abby), niece Meryl (Tricia) and great nieces Nora and Isla and many many Uncles, Aunts, Cousins, and friends.  He is preceded by his father Leeland, and great niece Hazel.

A memorial for Steven is planned on January 30, at his home in Bothell.  In Steve’s memory, donations can be made to The Lewy Body Dementia Resource Center at:  https://lewybodyresourcecenter.org/