Mary Ellen Krueger, age 73, of rural Merrill, passed away on Saturday, June 2, 2018, at the Hospice House in Wausau, surrounded by her loving family.
Mary Ellen was born May 25, 1945, in Wausau, daughter of the late Franklin and Irma (Hanke) Kopplin. She married Orville L. Krueger on September 12, 1964, in St. John Lutheran Church, Town of Maine. He preceded her in death on November 16, 1986. For 29 years, Mary Ellen worked at the former Fiskars Manufacturing, Wausau, until they closed their doors. Not ready to retire, Mary Ellen then went to work for Lactalis in the Town of Maine, and also for the Town of Corning. She helped clean the town hall in Corning and also assisted the township as a poll worker. Mary Ellen enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and attending both their sporting events and musical recitals; gardening and canning; collecting decorative owls; and playing dice and the card game ‘peanuts’.
Mary Ellen is survived by two daughters, Cami (Todd) Pester, and Tara (Shannon) Hannemann, both of Merrill; one son, Jeff Krueger (Jen Larson), Tomahawk; six grandchildren, Jacob and Marissa Gutsch, and Tanner, Kaden, Parker, and Preston Hannemann; one step grandchild, Mollie Pester; two sisters, Joanne (Charles) Zahn, Wausau, and Lorraine (Stanley) Wiederhoeft, Hamburg; and a sister in law, Virginia Zastrow, Merrill. Mary Ellen is preceded in death by her husband, Orville, and her parents, Franklin and Irma Kopplin.
Mary Ellen’s funeral will begin at 11:00 AM on Friday, June 8, 2018, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Town of Berlin. The Rev. Andrew DeGier will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Thursday at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, and again after 10:00 AM Friday at the church. The Taylor-Stine Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Merrill, is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com.
Mary Ellen’s family wishes to thank both Dr. Christopher G. Peterson of the Aspirus Cancer Center and the staff at the Aspirus Hospice House for the loving care given to our mother.