Carmen Merkes' Funeral Mass Video

On January 28, 2023 Carmen A. Merkes, age 95, passed away peacefully at the Washington Center, in New London with loved ones around her.

Carmen was born on April 15 ^th , 1927 to Frank and Maguerite (Uelmen) Diermeier on their family farm near Shiocton.   Carmen was a graduate of Shiocton High School.  On May 7 ^th , 1949 she married Norbert Merkes at St. Denis Catholic Church in Shiocton. On October 16 ^th , 1951 they purchased a dairy farm in the Shiocton area where they worked alongside each other for 42 years.  Carmen loved being home on her farm and was proud to have been able to do so until she was 94 years old.   Carmen always had a large vegetable garden, along with beautiful mums, petunias and gladiolas she grew.   Carmen was a wonderful cook, with her specialties being potato dumplings and potato pancakes.   So many recipes we will cherish forever.

Carmen and Norb went on many adventures with friends travelling across the United States, missing only Hawaii and Alaska.   They also ventured into the bar business from 1979 to 1981 owning the Silver Spur in Shiocton, which is now the River Rail, where much fun was had by all.

Carmen is survived by her four daughters, Susan (Mike Hoffmann), Barb Miller, Joan Merkes and Chris Bloch (Dale Palubicki); daughter-in-law Jane Merkes; grandchildren Jill (Tony) Mach, Beth Hoffmann, Mark (Tracey) Hoffmann, Ryan (Mindy) Hoffmann, Andrea Miller, Jeremy Hermann (Carrie Fletcher), Bobbi (Loren) Steinacker, Olivia Bloch and Sam Bloch, along with ten great-grandchildren.

Carmen was preceded in death by her husband, Norbert Merkes; son Daniel Merkes; twin daughters and her son-in-law Jon Bloch.  She was also preceded in death by her three brothers, Don, Gerald, and Dennis along with sister-in law Bonnie.

The funeral will be held at St. Patrick's in Stephensville.  A celebration of life will follow the ceremony at River Rail, Shiocton.

Carmen's family would like to thank the staff at Washington Center for their loving care and compassion.   A special mention to Angie Beyer, who cared for mom while she was at home, sharing much conversation and laughter; and we would also like to thank the staff from Compassus Hospice.  Thanks also to our Aunt Audrey Diermeier, her sister-in-law, who watched over mom at the Washington Center and provided us with so many wonderful memories and love as we watched our mom slip away, we were so thankful to have you by our side.

The Funeral Mass for Carmen will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, February 17, 2023 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Stephensville.  The visitation will take place from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the mass.  Burial will be in Bovina Cemetery, Town of Bovina.

In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been set up to go towards dog rescue in memory of Badge the rescue dog who mom loved so much who slept on the blanket by her feet while she was home.