Rita Mertely

Rita Marie Mertely, age 98 of Montello passed away peacefully, Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital in Portage. Rita was born in Mosinee, WI on May 16, 1926 to Theresa (Fochs) and Edward Ganser. Rita was the “baby” of the family. She graduated from Mosinee High School in 1944. After graduation, she spent time in Madison and later after the war, worked at Camp McCoy processing returning soldiers. One evening, Rita asked a group of friends if anyone wanted to go to Mass with her the next morning. A shy young soldier named Charlie said he would, and the rest is history. Charlie and Rita were married on July 30, 1948 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Mosinee. They were married for 70 years, and along the way raised eight children; their journey eventually landed them in Montello in 1960.

Rita, having grown up on a small rural farm, used her skills to grow, harvest, can and freeze vegetables. She loved to cook and bake, and it was rare not to find a pie or two, cookies, or her delicious caramel pecan rolls hot out of the oven. YUM!

Rita also was an excellent seamstress and continued to sew most of her life. She also loved to spend time on a lake fishing with Charlie. Eventually the last bird in the nest flew off to grade school and Rita set her sights on a career outside the home.

She ran for public office and became Montello’s City Clerk for close to 20 years. She actively volunteered with the Guardian Angels and could serve up a mean brat at many a fundraiser in town. She was a member of the Montello Library Board as well as the Salvation Army. Each Fall, Rita spearheaded the drive to fill school backpacks with supplies for those in need. After retirement. she joined a bowling team.

Charlie preceded Rita in death on July 27, 2022.

Rita is survived by her eight children: Carl of Fairmont, Minnesota, Lynn (Tom Haas) of Oconomowoc, Tom of Montello, Ken of Montello, Mike of Nekoosa, Mark (Gail) of Stevens Point, Robert of Montello, and Dale (Susan) of Montello. Eight grandchildren: Joel, Nathan, Matt, Michelle, Cody, Carmen, Zachary and Anthony. Five great-grandchildren: Carter, Emily, Maxine, Edgar and Evelyn. Chris Herron remains in her heart.

Rita is preceded in death by her parents, husband, siblings: Carl, Edward, Phillip, John, Joseph, Genevive, and Gertrude and daughter-in-law, Gail Mertely.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial for Rita Mertely will be held on Friday, August 9, 2024, at 11:00 AM at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Montello. Visitation will be held from 9:00 until 10:45 AM at the church. Father Savio Yerasani will preside and inurnment will follow the service in the parish cemetery. 

Crawford Funeral and Cremation Service of Montello and Oxford is honored to be serving the family. www.CrawfordFH.com