Mary A. Pernitzke, age 89, of Merrill, formerly of Milwaukee and Waukesha, died April 1, 2013 at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill.
Mary was born in Merrill, daughter of the late Lee and Helen (Van Rossum) Secard. She married Robert Pernitzke in July 1947 in Merrill, where their first three children were born. In 1952, the family moved to Milwaukee.
Before marrying, Mary worked as a secretary at Merrill Manufacturing. Once her children were older, she enjoyed being a secretary at AXA Equitable in Waukesha, where she introduced the beloved “pie-faced snip” appellation to co-workers. She retired in 1988.
She loved her family and was a supportive sounding board for both family and friends. She was a proud homemaker who expressed her creativity through cooking and sewing for her family, and is remembered for baking fresh bread once a week as her children were growing. Married for over 60 years, she enjoyed golfing and dancing and traveling with her husband before eventually taking care of him until he died. Mary was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Merrill, and comforted those who were dying by saying the rosary with them.
Survivors include three daughters, Margaret Meyer of Fallbrook, CA, Teresa (Doug) Larsen of North St. Paul, MN, and Anne Gerard of New Berlin, WI; one son, Michael (Ina) Pernitzke of Los Gatos, CA; nine grandchildren, Marie Brown, William Kawatski, Andrew Pernitzke, Brie Meyer, Candice Braun, Benjamin Pernitzke, Philip Meyer, Samantha Czarnecki and Ryan Czarnecki; nine great-grandchildren; one brother, Ed (Beryl) Secard of Carlsbad, CA; two sisters, Margaret Heckendorf of Merrill, and Rose (Patrick) Collier of Port Washington; and one sister-in-law, Dolores Drewsen of Minocqua. Mary was preceded in death by her son Patrick; and a sister, Helen Germain.
A prayer service will be at 3:00 P.M. Sunday, April 7, 2013, at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill. Father Joseph Kleinheinz will preside. Visitation will begin at 1:00 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home.
The committal service will be held at 12:30 A.M. Monday, April 8, 2013, at the St. Joseph Cemetery Chapel, Waukesha. Entombment will take place at St. Joseph Cemetery Mausoleum, Waukesha. Visitation will begin at 11:30 A.M. Monday at the St. Joseph Cemetery Chapel, Waukesha.
The Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, is assisting the family.
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com