In 1940 Merle graduated from West High School in Salt Lake City.Merle attended Steven Heneger's, UofU, and BYU. She majored in Business and Elementary Education.
While living at home and attending school, Merle worked in her father's Arcade Theatre as an usher.
After studying business, Merle worked as a secretary full time for American Insurance Company and KSL TV in Salt Lake City, Utah and Ryerson Steel in Oakland, California.
