Ilene Rose Augustine Merritt of Hooke, Oklahoma passed away December 2, 2023, at Good Samaritan Society in Liberal, Kansas.
Ilene was born on the family farm near Keota, Iowa, the youngest of four following Ivan, Allan and Elaine, to Ralph L. and Muriel Fleig Augustine.
She attended Hickory Ridge County School and Batavia High School in Batavia, Iowa.
On April 18, 1959, she married her best friend and truly the love of her life, George Merritt. They resided in Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Oklahoma moving due to transfers with George’s Job. Their final move was back to Hooker, Oklahoma in 1989 to be close to their grandsons.
In retirement they traveled extensively, many times with their grandsons. Her favorite memories are of traveling with her boys.
In retirement they traveled extensively, many times with their grandsons. Some of Jake and Clint’s favorite memories are the trips with their grandparents.
Ilene was a person who never knew a stranger, loved meeting new people and could carry on a conversation with anyone.
A special memory is her love of holidays making them extra special, especially Christmas.
She was a member of the Methodist Church and American Legion Aux.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband George, two brothers and their wives, Ivan and Iva Augustine and Allan and Mary Evelyn Augustine.
Ilene is survived by her son, Douglas Wayne and Patricia of Hooker, daughter, Tamara Arnold of Hooker; sister, Elaine Gottman and Russell of Batavia, Iowa, sister-in-law, Carolyn Pruser, brother-in-law, Dick and Kathy Merritt, four grandchildren, Jake Arnold, Clint Arnold, Amanda Rasmussen, Tanner Merritt; five great grandchildren, Mason, Allee Mae, Aimee, Jennifer, Graham.
Memorials are suggested to the Wesleyan Church or Hooker Ambulance, Hooker Cemetery or the Hooker Animal Shelter and may be left at Roberts Brothers Funeral Home, Box 745, Hooker, Oklahoma 73945.
A family service will be held at a later date.
The family wishes to extend thanks to the Good Samaritan Society for their kind and loving care to our mother.

Roberts Brothers Funeral Home is In charge of the arrangements.