Gaile J. Merz
Gaile J. Merz, age 72, of Fond du Lac, died Sunday, December
25, 2016 (Christmas Day) at St. Agnes Hospital surrounded by her loving
husband, daughter, and family. (Apparently from a massive stroke.)
Gaile was born on September 18, 1944 in Fond du Lac, WI the
daughter of Robert and Eileene Merrill. Her dad was serving in the army in
Europe during WWII. Gaile was two when
she first met him.
Gaile married her high school sweetheart, John Merz, on
December 6, 1962. Although they were
young, they beat all the odds. They were
happily married for 54 years. Gaile graduated in 1962 from L.P. Goodrich High School. She worked 43 years at Thresherman’s Mutual Insurance Company which became
Society Insurance. Her dedication to the
company was evident, by being employed longer than anyone in the company at the
time of her retirement. Gaile also was a
driving force behind their businesses.
She and John sold their Merz RV Center in 2002. Gaile was an extremely organized, efficient and detailed
businesswoman. She was kind, caring and
philanthropic.
Gaile was fun and mischievous. She enjoyed boating, snowmobiling, golfing,
traveling, cooking and spending time with her family. She treasured her time at their condo in
Naples, Florida. In the words of her
daughter, Dawn, “She was an inspiration to me and others through her love,
grace, courage, strength and fortitude of will.
She taught unconditional love and was what it means to be truly
selfless. She was a great Mom, wife,
sister, and friend. Heaven has just
received a new “Angel”, that will be watching over me.”
Survivors include her husband, John Merz, one daughter, Dawn
J. Merz of Fond du Lac, her father, Robert L. Merrill of the Town of
Byron, her brother, Larry (Carol)
Merrill of Fond du Lac, three sisters, Beverly (Harold) Bloedow of Cottage
Grove , MN, Marlene Andrews of Fond du Lac, and Jeannine (Jack) Dempsey of
Green Bay, WI. She is further survived
by one sister-in-law, Joan Merz, as well as many nieces, nephews and special
friends.
Gaile was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Eileene
Merrill, grandmother , Alice Beltz; special nephew, Jeff Merrill; uncle,
Russell Jaeger; her father and mother-in-law, Art Merz and Pat Merz; aunt,
Alice Merz; brothers-in-law, Fred
Merz and Tom Merz; sister-in-law Janet
Merz; niece, Mary Merz Secor and nephew,
Tom Merz.
VISITATION: The
visitation will be from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Sunday, January 1, 2017 at Zacherl
Funeral Home, 875 E. Division Street in Fond du Lac. Visitation will also be
held on Monday, January 2, 2017 at 10:00 to 10:45 at Ascension Lutheran Church,
907 County Road V, in Fond du Lac.
SERVICE: A memorial
service will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, January 2, 2017 at Ascension Lutheran
Church with Pastor Jeremy Thompson officiating. Entombment will be at Shrine of
Rest Mausoleum, Ledgeview Memorial Park at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Gaile’s name would be
appreciated for Edgewood Church of Fond du Lac.
Zacherl Funeral home is serving the family www.zacherlfuneralhome.com 920-922-6860