Ethel Elizabeth Merkel

MERKEL, ETHEL ELIZABETH (SELL)

Of Appleton, died Tuesday, August 16, 2005 at Appleton Medical Center at the age of 94 years. She was born March 10, 1911 in Otway, Ohio the daughter of the late Theodore and Virginia (Payton) Sell. Ethel married Ivan Merkel on July 2, 1931 at St. Therese Catholic Church, Appleton. She was employed as a housekeeper for many years. Ethel quickly became friends with the families. She was always willing to help with anything they needed. Ethel loved to help out and liked to keep busy. She spent a great deal of time in her garden which was the envy of all and always weedless. The many happy years with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren brought her much joy. Ethel became involved with the St. Therese Ladies Society and cherished her group of friends who will miss her greatly.
Ethel is survived by her daughters: Lois (Paul) Brown of Walnut Creek, CA, Carol (Boyd) Grimmer of Appleton and Debra (Pete) Loughrin of Madison; son: Ronald (Connie) Merkel of Oshkosh; daughter-in-law: Mary Alice Merkel of Three Lakes; brother: Harold (Dee) Sell of Green Bay; 18 grandchildren: Julie (special friend Bridges Stewart) Brown, Karen (Anthony) Garcia, Sheila (David) Kilgore, Michael (Ginger) Grimmer, John (Dale) Grimmer, David (Margaret) Grimmer, Lisa (Andy) Britten, David Merkel, Sarah (Mike) Meyer, Amy (Kirk) Schuler, Katie Merkel, Adam Merkel, Hannah Merkel, Jason (Denise) Loughrin, Beth (Jeff) Rauch, Ryan (Lisa) Loughrin, Emily (Zenon) Kochan and Sara (fiancé Joel Marshall) Loughrin. She is further survived by 18 great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Ethel was preceded in death by her husband Ivan, son Gary Merkel, grandson Thomas Grimmer, brothers: Clyde Sell, Earl (Ruth) Sell and Al (Lucille) Sell, sisters: Amelia (Leonard) Schultze and Lucy (George) Peotter, mother Virginia Sell Becker, father Theodore Sell and her father and mother-in-law Louis and Lena Merkel.
The funeral liturgy will be held at 11:00 a.m.on Saturday, August 20, 2005 at ST. THERESE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 213 E. Wisconsin Ave. Appleton with Fr. William Hoffman and Fr. David Koch concelebrating. Entombment will take place at Highland Memorial Park. Friends may call at the CHURCH on Saturday from 9:30 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. A memorial fund is being established in Ethel’s name.
A special thanks to the staff at Appleton Medical Center on 4 North and Country Terrace CBRF for their wonderful loving care.

WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME
537 N. Superior St.
Appleton, WI 54911
(920)739-1231