Delores M. Merrill

Delores M. “Cookie” Merrill, age 74, met with her angels on Tuesday, April 19, 2011, at Cherry Meadows Hospice, in the arms of her loving family. Cookie was born on May 31, 1936, in Stephensville, WI, daughter of the late Delwin and Gladys (Reinke) Dorschner. Cookie resided in the Appleton area her entire life. She was employed at Fox Valley Technical College for 26 years, until her retirement in 2002.
She will be greatly missed by her entire family, especially her grandchildren, whom she was very close to and loved very much.
Cookie is survived by two daughters, Tracie (Jim) Buchinger, Appleton, and Kim (Steve) Freimuth, Appleton; four grandchildren, Pierce Buchinger (fiancé Michelle Wolf), Eau Claire, Blair Buchinger, Madison, Hayley Freimuth, Oshkosh, and McKinzie Freimuth, Combined Locks; two brothers, Dr. Kenneth (Janice) Dorschner, Warrenton, VA, and Dwayne (Shirley) Dorschner, Menasha; one sister, Elaine (Earl) Blink, Appleton; and a brother-in-law, Arlyn McNichols, Black Creek. She is further preceded in death by her husband, Will G. Merrill, and Jerome Kolosso; a brother, Donald (Pat) Dorschner; and sisters, Mary Schmidt, and Karyl Kay McNichols.
The funeral service for Cookie will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 23, 2011, at HIGHLAND MEMORIAL PARK, STAR OF HOPE CHAPEL, 3131 N. Richmond Street, Appleton, with Rev. Bill Schroeder officiating. Friends may call at the chapel on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Interment following the service will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Cookie's name may be made to a fund being established. The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to a special family friend, Karen Howard, Nurse
Leslie Gumpert of ThedaCare Hospice, and the entire staff at Cherry Meadows for their care, compassion, and support.

Mom,
We don't know what happens to us when we leave this world, but we do know that somewhere you and Dad will be together again smiling down on us. We know that we will be ok, because those smiles will give us the strength and courage for all the days that lay ahead. You always told us that crying was ok, because tears are only our heart's remembering in its own special way. So all the tears that we are shedding here today are from our hearts remembering your love and all of the special memories you left with us. We remember the many times, and many ways you had to be both a mother and father to us. You were always there taking good care of us and as we grew older, you encouraged us because you knew what we were doing even when we didn't. You shared not only in our happiness, but also in our disappointments. When we felt unsure, you gave us strength, when we were sad, you made us smile because you understood. You were always there our whole lives, giving your love and asking for nothing in return. It was your friendship, love, and faith in us that helped us find our way in life. We want you to know that all you have done for us, and all the love that guided us, were all worthwhile. We thank you for everything that you have added to our lives, and want you to know that we LOVE YOU, and that you will never be forgotten. Smile on us Mom – Job well done.

Your Loving Daughters,
Tracie and Kim

Wichmann Funeral Home
Tri-County Chapel
3212 S. Oneida Street
Menasha 831-9905
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www.wichmannfargo.com