1936
Mary
2017
Mary Derr
January 20, 1936 — May 20, 2017
Merlin Eugene Derr, 81, died April 12, 2017 in Port Orange, FL following complications from an accident and his beloved wife of 58 years, Mary Margaret Derr, 81, followed him into eternal life on May 20, 2017 in Port Orange, FL.
Mary and Merlin Derr grew up in Columbus, WI. Following high school, Merlin went on to Carroll College earning a business degree and Mary attended Mount Mary College earning a degree in Art. The couple married on June 21, 1958 in Columbus. They were blessed with two children: Mark and Melanie.
Merlin worked for John Deere in the international Asian division which saw the family live in Bangkok, Thailand and Manila, Philippines from 1972-78. Mary seized the opportunity and made the most of it organizing visits to local cultural sites and museums on their holidays. The family returned to Moline, IL in 1978 during which time Mary earned her LPN and began working for Phelps Nursing Home in the summers. Summertime often found the family at their property on Duck Lake in Watersmeet which had been the summer home since 1972 and continued to be for over 40 years. Mary loved to go sailing, swimming or spend time on the pontoon with Merlin; Mary simply loved the water.
After Merlin retired in the 1990's, they moved to Florida and Mary continued to travel extensively. In his later years, Merlin worked part-time for Tradewinds Generator Company up until his death. Throughout her life, Mary always loved creating all kinds of art and craft work: oil paintings, duck decoys and quilting.
The couple is survived by their daughter, Melanie (Mark) Peterson; son, Mark Derr; grandchildren, Blake and Morgan Derr and Lee Peterson.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 5:30 PM on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at St. Agnes Catholic Parish, 6101 Zinzer Street, Weston. Fr. Greg Bohren will officiate. A visitation will be held from 4:30 PM until the time of service at the church on Tuesday. Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements; you may sign our family guestbook at helke.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to either the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum (Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum Tribute Fund, 700 12th Street, Wausau, WI 54403) or the the NRA (https://donate.nra.org/donate).
Mary and Merlin Derr grew up in Columbus, WI. Following high school, Merlin went on to Carroll College earning a business degree and Mary attended Mount Mary College earning a degree in Art. The couple married on June 21, 1958 in Columbus. They were blessed with two children: Mark and Melanie.
Merlin worked for John Deere in the international Asian division which saw the family live in Bangkok, Thailand and Manila, Philippines from 1972-78. Mary seized the opportunity and made the most of it organizing visits to local cultural sites and museums on their holidays. The family returned to Moline, IL in 1978 during which time Mary earned her LPN and began working for Phelps Nursing Home in the summers. Summertime often found the family at their property on Duck Lake in Watersmeet which had been the summer home since 1972 and continued to be for over 40 years. Mary loved to go sailing, swimming or spend time on the pontoon with Merlin; Mary simply loved the water.
After Merlin retired in the 1990's, they moved to Florida and Mary continued to travel extensively. In his later years, Merlin worked part-time for Tradewinds Generator Company up until his death. Throughout her life, Mary always loved creating all kinds of art and craft work: oil paintings, duck decoys and quilting.
The couple is survived by their daughter, Melanie (Mark) Peterson; son, Mark Derr; grandchildren, Blake and Morgan Derr and Lee Peterson.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 5:30 PM on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at St. Agnes Catholic Parish, 6101 Zinzer Street, Weston. Fr. Greg Bohren will officiate. A visitation will be held from 4:30 PM until the time of service at the church on Tuesday. Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements; you may sign our family guestbook at helke.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to either the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum (Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum Tribute Fund, 700 12th Street, Wausau, WI 54403) or the the NRA (https://donate.nra.org/donate).
Visitation
St. Agnes Catholic Parish6101 Zinser Street
Weston, WI 54476
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Service
St. Agnes Catholic Parish6101 Zinser Street
Weston, WI 54476
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
5:30 PM
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Derr, please visit our flower store.