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- Ruth Marie (VanDenWymelenberg) Merkey, 91, Green Bay, passed away Monday, June 4, 2012, with her nieces and nephews by her side and with her in prayer. She was born Sept. 6, 1920, in Green Bay, to the late Arnold and Eleanore (Weyenberg) VanDenWymelenberg.
On Sept. 26, 1946, she married William John Merkey at Annunciation Catholic Church in Green Bay. They enjoyed 34 years of marriage.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, William. She was also preceded in death by her brothers and their wives, Jerry and Marie VanDenWymelenberg, John and Janet VanDenWymelenberg; and her sister and her husband, Marcella and Ovid "Al" Albertson.
Ruth graduated from St. Joseph Academy and St. Mary's Hospital School of Nursing in Green Bay. She also received her Certificate in Public Health Nursing from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
She was employed as a Public Health Nurse in Green Lake County, WI. She started a Medical Equipment Loan Closet in Green Lake County, which was the first county in the State to test all school children for hearing loss. Due to the successful detection of children with hearing difficulty, the program was adopted throughout the state of Wisconsin.
Ruth was President of the Altar Society at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Berlin, and President of the Altar Society at SS. Edward & Isidore Catholic Church in Flintville. She was also a member of the Community of Christian Women at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Green Bay.
She volunteered at Grancare Nursing Home and at the St. Vincent de Paul store in Green Bay, for many years. For 50 years, Ruth was a member of the Brown County Association for Home and Community Education (HCE), formerly known as Brown County Homemakers.
Ruth was proficient in sewing, needlepoint, embroidery, knitting, ceramics and many other craft projects. She was also an avid reader and a strong supporter of Catholic vocations.
Ruth is survived by her nieces and nephews, Rosemary (Wade) Ritchie, Green Bay; Paul (Sue) VanDenWymelenberg, Lakewood; Jean Ann (Art) Wieber, Green Bay; Helen (Ken) Fisher, Sturgeon Bay; Lucinda Silk, Oklahoma City, OK; Bruce (Susan) Albertson, Oklahoma City, OK; Dennis (Darla) Albertson, Shawnee, OK; Jon Albertson, Moore, OK; Susan (Terry) Martell, Oneida; Linda (Wolfgang) Boss, Plymouth, MN; Mary Ann (Douglas) Hunt, Middleton; Kathy (Tom) Rolling, Ashwaubenon. She is further survived by 26 great-nieces and great-nephews, and 34 great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.
Friends may call at Blaney Funeral Home, 1521 Shawano Ave., from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 5. A Parish Wake Service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Friends may also call at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 1484 Ninth St., from 10 to 11 a. m. Wednesday, June 6. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church with the Rev. Richard Getchel officiating. Burial will be in Fort Howard Memorial Park. To send online condolences, please go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com.
A memorial fund has been established to benefit the Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross.
The family would like to express special thanks to all of her wonderful caregivers, Terri Gibbs, Linda Ronsman, Mary Ann Komula, and Mary Strom, for their constant love and support. Thank you also to Southern Care Hospice, especially Sondra and Jackie who showed such compassion and care. They also want to thank her many dear friends from the Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross for their constant friendship and companionship.
Published in Green Bay Press-Gazette on June 5, 2012
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1920 - 2012 (91 years)
