Ashley Merritts
July 10, 1984 ~ April 22, 2017
Dr. Ashley Nicole Merritts, 32, of Marion, passed away on Saturday, April 22, 2017, at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City after a short bout with cancer. Ashley was born on July 10, 1984, in Geneseo, Illinois, and is the daughter of Scott and Diane (Skoff) Rink.
She is survived by her husband, Sean; sons, Manning, age 4 and Madden, age 2; her parents; brother, Taylor Rink of Chicago, Illinois; brother, Alexander (Chelsea) Rink of Muscatine, Iowa; grandmother, Beverly Skoff of Camanche, Iowa; and grandparents, Bill and Jan Rink of Davenport, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Donald Skoff of Camanche, Iowa.
Ashley was a graduate of Tipton High School (2003), University of Iowa (BA, 2007), Iowa State University (MS, 2009 and PhD, 2014). She served as an associate professor in Mount Mercy's Marriage and Family Therapy Program. She was a Licensed Marital and Family Therapist (LMFT) in the state of Iowa specialized in working with children and adolescents that have experienced trauma and abuse. Ashley was clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and a previous board member of the Iowa Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.
Ashley lived each day with joy and gratitude. Her life's treasure, in one word, was family. She treasured time with her husband and beautiful boys creating loving memories in everything they did. She embraced each day of her life, whether happy or difficult, and searched for the teachable moment and lesson. Ashley gave selflessly of her time and her spirit, with her knowledge, warm smile and kind heart. She was committed to helping others live their lives with joy. Even in the most painful days of her illness, she first considered the needs of everyone else. She loved unconditionally with all her heart. She was committed to the power of healing, and the love of an unstoppable God. Filled with grace, wisdom and gentle strength, Ashley exemplified love.
Family and friends will gather from 11-2 p.m. with the funeral service beginning at 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 27, 2017, at Veritas Church, 509 3rd Street SE, Cedar Rapids. Private family burial will be on Friday at Rose Hill Cemetery, Camanche, Iowa. Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services is caring for Ashley and her family.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Fly high beautiful… until we meet again. Love , Terri Bell
Prayers to Ashley’s family. I knew Ashley at ISU. Joyce Hagley
I am so sorry to hear about Ashley, you are in our thoughts and prayers. Lynn (Lohman), Jeff, Ayden and Archer Anderson
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. What an amazing and accomplished young woman. We are so proud to have known her. With deepest sympathy, Jane and Daryl Clark
we will always remember Ashley’s beautiful smile…and her caring eyes!!!
Sean…I am so, so sorry for your loss! You and your family are in my prayers!
Everyone al North Cedar School has Ashley’s family in their thoughts and prayers. Hugs and love sent your way.
Max Clausen shared with his first grade teacher how special Ashley is to their family. This is a true testimony of a life well lived when you bring you heart to school! Blessings on your family. Mrs. Brown and Max 🙂
I had the honor of working with Ashley at ISU during her master’s program. She did stellar work from her amazing ability to edit papers (using the appropriate APA formats) to helping me make a video for a national conference. She never said no and was up for any challenge. We were thrilled to co-author a paper with her and so happy to see she had a book recently published. Sean and her sons were always the focus of her life. Once my car broke down between Iowa City and ??? and I knew this was near her homeland. I still have her # in my phone and gave her a call. She and Sean didn’t miss a beat when they got me connected with a local mechanic. She was a shining star who has left us much too soon. My heart aches for you all.
Ashley was an amazing young woman. I admired her ambition, kindness, and genuine heart.
So sorry for your loss.
With love,
Annette Shipley
We are so sorry for your loss. You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Jason & Gretchen Howard
I am so sorry for your loss. I remember Ashley as a Tipton High School student and I just adored her. Please know that you all are in my thoughts and prayers. Stephanie McNeill
Were so sorry for your loss Diane, Scott and family. Even though we didnt know you well I feel like we do after buying your home in Tipton. Its just heart breaking to lose anyone in your family and I even imagine. Prayers and thoughts are with you during this very difficult time. 💜 Lori, Chris Seydel and family.
We are so heartbroken to hear of Ashley’s passing. May the peace which comes from the memories of love shared, comfort you now and in the days ahead. Lean on each other and your friends for strength.
Hugs, Dan and Shelley Conover & Boys
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Diane, Scott, and family. We are so sorry for your loss.
Bob & Jackie Heyer
I’m saddened to hear of Ashley’s passing. She was an outstanding student in the MFT Master’s Program at Iowa State. My thoughts are with her family and friends. Megan Murphy
We would like to express our sincere condolences to Ashley’s family.
Diane, we are thinking of you and so sorry for your loss.
Jeanette Glahn, Jane Glahn Kane, and Jean Glahn
I am so sorry for your loss. May the Merritt’s family find some comfort in knowing that God will soon end all pain and suffering. He also promises that we will see our loved ones again by means of a resurrection here on earth (Revelation 21:4, John 5:28,29). What a wonderful time that will be! But until then, I hope the memories of Ashle brings you peace and comfort in the days ahead, My condolences to the family in this difficult time.
To the Rink and Merritt families…Although we didn’t know Ashley, we are saddened to learn of your loss. As we read the beautiful tribute to Ashley, we felt hopeful that you are finding some measure of comfort in a life well-lived. How wonderful that your precious, wife, daughter, mother, granddaughter accomplished so much and found more joy in her short life than many do in a long lifetime. Praying that all of you feel God’s loving arms wrapped around you. Cindy and Paul DeBruine
To Diane, Scott, the Rink and Merritts Families,
I was deeply saddened to read of Ashley’s death in this morning’s paper, and my heart goes out to all of you at such a difficult time. While I never had the privilege of knowing this remarkable woman as an adult, I still remember the incredible joy that she brought to her mom and dad on the day she was born. What an inspiration it was to learn of all she accomplished. and the lives that she touched during her all too short time on this earth. I pray that God’s peace, and your memories of this loving, selfless, and beautiful lady will always be with you.
Dr. Don Ford
To the family of Ashley,
My heart was filled with sadness when I learned of Ashley’s death. As I read of the way she lived her life and of all her accomplishments, I was not surprised. As her third grade teacher (1993-94) I was certain that she would live a beautiful life full of joy and kindness towards others. How fortunate were those of us who had the pleasure of knowing her sometime in our lives. I pray that God will bring comfort and peace to you all.
With deepest sympathy,
Danette (Struck) Hunt
Clinton, IA
Ashley was an amazing person. She was my therapist and believe me, she was fantastic at her job. She exuded happiness and forgiveness. Whatever I have gone through in my life, she has helped me become a better person and to communicate with my feelings. I am saddened by this news, and I will always remember her. Thank you Ashley for touching the hearts of others, you will forever be missed❤️