Merla Temple

Obituaries

January 31, 2014 - 12:00 AM

Merla Jean Booth Higgins Temple, Overland Park, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013, as a result of complications with lymphoma. She was born in Iola on Jan. 14, 1939, to the late Wilbur and Telline Booth. Merla graduated from Iola High School in 1957 and attended St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Kansas City, Mo., where she obtained her degree as a registered nurse in 1960. She also obtained a bachelor’s degree in sociology and later her bachelor’s in music from Avila College in Kansas City.
Merla was a very accomplished pianist; had a deep appreciation for all of “the arts;” and was dedicated to life-long learning and the obsessive pursuit of knowledge about the wonderful world that surrounded her. She loved Kansas City, and spent her entire adult life enjoying its rich culture of art and music, and spent many days at the Nelson-Atkins Museum. Merla also was very active in the development of Avila College’s music degree department. She served as the health director for the City of Raytown for a time and was an active member of the Village Presbyterian Church.
 Merla is survived by her son, David Booth Higgins and his wife, Jill T. Higgins; two grandchildren, Adam and Melanie; her sister, Rose Zwerenz, MD; and friends that cherished her quick wit and love of the arts. Merla was laid to rest on Sept. 23, 2013, at Mt. Mariah next to her late husband, Colonel Jack W. Temple. In her memory and in lieu of flowers, please make donations to those organizations in Kansas City that support the arts.

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