Mary Summers

Mary Elizabeth Summers, nee Jopke, 92, of Merrill, passed away peacefully at Pine Crest Nursing Home on Monday, July 26, 2021.  Born in Merrill on June 13, 1929, Mary was the daughter of the late Kurt and Dora (Frantz) Jopke.  She married Laverne ‘Chuck’ Summers on October 27, 1951 in Merrill.  Sadly, he preceded her in death on January 29, 2007.

Mary graduated from Merrill High School with the class of 1946 and enjoyed helping to plan all the reunions.  After high school, she worked in the office at Weinbrenner Shoe Company, and then was a nurse’s aide at the Holy Cross Hospital in Merrill.  Mary also enjoyed her job working in the office of the Wisconsin Window Unit.  She looked forward to attending the Westside Keg Club lunches and camping with the Friendly Foxes at the Foxfire Campground.  Mary is remembered as a woman of great patience, was always kind, and gave her family many loving memories.  She enjoyed gardening, cooking, baking, and canning, something that she passed on to her children.  She also looked forward to camping vacations. Mary also liked to knit, crochet, and was an excellent seamstress who made 2 of her daughters wedding dresses.  Mary was a strong, independent woman that made sure that she stayed up to date on all the current events.  She was proud to be a breast cancer survivor.  Mary enjoyed watching and supporting her grandchildren in all their sporting and music events.  She was a lifelong member at Trinity Lutheran Church in Merrill.  Mary will be sadly missed but always in the hearts of her family and friends.

Mary is survived by her daughters: Sarah Williams of Eau Claire, Tess (Scott) Klug of Monona and Missy (Paul) Waid of Merrill, son: Bill Summers of Sayner, grandsons: Doug (Wendy), Ben (Allie) and Kellen (Kate) Williams, Keefe (Kaylene), Brett and Collin (Charlotte) Klug, Kurt (Kasi) and Matt (Jess) Waid, granddaughter: Elly (Vaughan) Schmidt, great grandchildren: Kylee (Trevor), Randi, Cami, Cadence, Odessa, Julie, Mia, Gabi, Konner, Scarlett and Lola, along with twin boys on the way, sister: Jane (Rich) Cooper, brother: Kurt (Yvonne) Jopke and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband: Laverne, sister: Joyce Wendt, brothers-in-law: John ‘Jack’ Wendt and Wallace Marth and daughter-in-law: VaLynda Summers.

The funeral service for Mary will be held on Friday, August 6, 2021 at 11am at Trinity Lutheran Church in Merrill.  Pastor Adam Rodriguez will officiate.  Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 5, 2021 from 5pm-8pm at Waid Funeral Home and again on Friday, August 6, 2021 from 10am until the time of the service, at the church.  Burial at the Merrill Memorial Park Cemetery will immediately follow the service.

For those unable to attend, the service will be live streamed and available for viewing on Friday, August 6, 2021 at 11am under her obituary on the funeral home website.

Per family request, please wear a mask in the funeral home and the church if you are unvaccinated.

In lieu of flowers, please direct any memorials in Mary’s name to the American Cancer Society, Trinity Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice.

Waid Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.