Elsie M. (Woller) Jaeger

MERRILL, Wis. - Elsie M. (Woller) Jaeger, 96, of Merrill, passed away Nov. 19, 2013, at Bell Tower Residence, Merrill.

Elsie was born Aug. 27, 1917, in the town of Maine, Marathon County, to Sigmund and Adela (Kasten) Woller. As the oldest of their 13 children, she shouldered great responsibility in helping to raise her younger siblings.

She was united in marriage to Herman C. Jaeger on June 27, 1942, at Zion Lutheran Church, town of Maine. During the war, Elsie accompanied Herman to many U.S. Army bases, forming friendships with families that lasted a lifetime. After World War II, Elsie and Herman moved to Mercer, where Herman worked for the Standard Oil Company from 1951-1973. Elsie was his helpmate in the business.

They returned to live in Merrill after Herman fully retired in 1977, enjoying the winter months in Weslaco, Texas, for many years. In Merrill for the rest of the year, they renewed old acquaintances and made many new friends dancing in local ballrooms. Herman preceded her in death on June 20, 1992, one week short of their 50th wedding anniversary.

Elsie was an active volunteer throughout her years in Mercer and in Merrill, working with Zion Lutheran and then Faith Lutheran Church in Mercer, with the American Legion Auxiliary in Mercer and with her church in Merrill (St. John Lutheran), and at Pine Crest Nursing Home, where as a Grey Lady, she called bingo and helped the "old people" until late into her 80s.

She enjoyed baking, knitting and watching the Packers, the Brewers and the Badgers on TV while making hundreds of pairs of mittens, many pairs of slippers, and scores of afghans until a couple of years ago. After Herman's death she traveled several times to Europe (Norway and twice to Germany), as well as to Hawaii and took cruises through the Panama Canal and to Alaska and bus trips to Canada and various U.S. locations.

Survivors include her daughter, Lorraine (Bill) Buehler, Whitefish Bay; sons, Roger (Kate Anderson), Oshkosh, Ron (Teri Luebbering), Menomonee Falls, and Keith (Danette Weber), Wausau; grandchildren Elyse Jaeger, Chelsea Jaeger, Danielle Jaeger, Alexandra Jaeger and Samuel Jaeger; sisters, Adeline Fandrey, Wausau, and Eunice (Arlo) Berndt, Merrill; brothers, Amos (Vivian) Woller, Wausau, Bob (Gloria) Woller, Wausau, Clifford (Delores) Woller, Sugar Camp, and David (Donna) Woller, Merrill; and in-laws, Frances Woller, Wausau, Dorothy Woller, Wausau, Dorothea Woller, Wausau, and Pete Barttelt, Wausau. She is further survived by many nieces and nephews.

Elsie was preceded in death by her husband, Herman; her parents; brothers, Raymond, Reuben, Elmer, Harvey and Loyd; sister, Lorna Barttelt; and brother-in-law, Grover Fandrey.

Thanks to the staff of Bell Tower Residence for their conscientious and loving care of Elsie for the last 5-plus years, and to Ministry Hospice for their care in Elsie's last days.

Funeral services for Elsie will be on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 10 a.m. at Holy Cross Chapel at Bell Tower in Merrill with the Rev. Greg Schmidt officiating.

A visitation will be held at the Waid Funeral Home on Friday, Nov. 22, from 4 to 7 p.m. and again on Saturday at 9 a.m. at Bell Tower until the time of the service.

Burial will take place at St. James Cemetery in the town of Pine River.

In lieu of flowers, memorials appreciated in Elsie's name to Bell Tower Residence, 1500 O'Day St., Merrill WI 54452.

Waid Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be made at waidfuneral.com.