Merilee Ann Inman of West Saint Paul, Minnesota, passed away in her home on August 1, 2026. She was 78.

Merilee grew up in Fridley, Minnesota, the oldest of three girls. After graduating from St. Olaf College she became a Registered Nurse. She met her husband in Rochester, New York and raised her three children in Ann Arbor, Michigan and Woodbury, Minnesota. Following her divorce, she reinvented her career as an enthusiastic and well-loved fitness instructor at multiple branches of the YMCA. Merilee loved things that brought her comfort (classical music, PBS period pieces, time at her lake cabin, coffee) and things that brought her joy (volunteering, live performances, dancing, her grandchildren, glitter). She showed her grit as a first-place bodybuilding contestant and a breast cancer survivor. One-part Oprah, one-part Barbie, and one-part Wonder Woman, Merilee was an optimistic, creative, outgoing, and thoughtful woman who practiced gratitude and delighted in exploring new activities.

Merilee is survived by her children Julian, Maddy (and husband Lucas), and Anthony; grandchildren Nina and Luca; and sisters Laura and Barbie.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Unity Church-Unitarian in Saint Paul on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 2:00pm. 

In lieu of flowers, her family requests that donations be made in Merilee’s memory to Neighbors, Inc. of South Saint Paul, Planned Parenthood, or the Animal Humane Society.