Our beloved mother, Myrt McFarland, passed away peacefully on March 15, 2024 in Green River, Wyoming. Myrtle Lavon Serl was born on February 15, 1934, to William Robert and Marjorie Mae Prickett Serl, in Alliance, Nebraska.
Myrt was a 1952 graduate of Lyman High School, Lyman, Nebraska. She worked at her aunt’s boarding house during and after her high school years, before moving to Rawlins where her parents resided. While living in Rawlins she worked at Bob Adam’s restaurant, The Flame, and it was there that she met William “Mac” McFarland. Later, they were married on July 9, 1955, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. To this union four children were born in Rawlins, Wyoming. While they were living in Home on the Range, now known as Jeffrey City, Wyoming, six months after their youngest child was born, they picked up and moved to Arvada, Colorado in 1960.
Myrt and Mac moved to Arvada as Mac followed the uranium company Western Nuclear Inc. Along with the job came good friends Joe and Peggy Putnam and their four kids, all matching in age, living across the street in Arvada for 11 years. Myrt stayed home raising her four kids. During this time is where she delved into different classes when all the children were finally in school. She took classes in needlepoint, pottery, tennis, and bridge and as many friends know, this bridge became a passion of hers until her mid 80’s.
In 1971 the family was transferred to Riverton, WY where Mac was the manager of the acid plant owned by Western Nuclear Inc. Myrt found herself working for Mac while the kids were in school, until they found another home and moved into town. Once they moved into town, Myrt found a new social circle and some lifelong friends, especially, throughout her years of playing bridge. A new interest that she took up was golfing at the Riverton Country Club, where she spent many years enjoying her time. Myrt and Mac enjoyed many days on the golf course as a couple, until Mac passed away in 1989. Afterwards, she and her friends took many bus trips around the state of Wyoming entering women’s tournaments. Myrt became the first female board president at the Riverton Country Club. This was seen as quite an achievement at the time. PEO (Philanthropic Educational Organization) played a large part in her life for over 40 years. She joined PEO Chapter H in 1980 and held many of the officer positions and helped with fundraising to help advance girls and women’s education. She was involved in her HOA, volunteered several years at the Riverton Community Hospital in the gift shop, and was a breast cancer survivor. The family were members of St. Margaret’s Catholic Church for 47 years..
Myrt was preceded in death by her parents, William and Marjorie Serl; siblings, Thelma Mae Serl, Robert (Pete) Serl, Eugene (Laurie) Serl; husband, W.L. “Mac” McFarland and son- in law Ronald Drue Clark.
She is survived by her four children; Regina Clark, Green River, WY, Gregory McFarland, Banning, CA, Cristine (Tom) Robirds, Monument, CO, Lori McFarland, Washoe Valley, NV, 5 grandchildren: Sarah Robirds (Scott Hazlett), Ryan (Codi) Robirds, Christopher (Steph) Robirds , William (Amanda) Clark and Bobbi Jo (Gene) Drozd along with 7 great grandchildren; Eleanor, August, Vivienne, Sawyer, Millie, Lucy, Dottie and numerous nephews and nieces.
Myrt never met a person she couldn’t talk to or couldn’t get a smile out of. She was the kindest person you would have ever known. She will be remembered for her kindness and her generosity towards her family and friends. She had great wisdom that she was known to give out even in her last years. She had a sense of humor that kept her children, grandchildren and even the healthcare workers laughing until the very end. We will remember her as a loving, kind soul, with a quick wit, for all of our days.
Her celebration of life will be held Saturday, April 6, 2024, in Riverton at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church, 618 E Fremont Avenue, Rosary beginning at 9:30 AM with Mass at 11:00 AM. Graveside services following at Mountain View Cemetery. Please join the Family afterwards for a get together in the small hall back at the church.
Memorials may be made to St. Margaret’s Catholic School or PEO Chapter H, c/o Barbara Snyder, through Davis Funeral Home.
The family would like to Thank all her caregivers, Father Denis D Souza, and Vase Funeral Home for their assistance in Green River.
On-line condolences may be made at TheDavisFuneralHome.com
Services are under the direction of the Davis Funeral Home, Crematory, and Monuments.