Myrtle M Jerome

Myrtle M. Mert Jerome, 74 of Ettrick, WI died on Saturday, June 23, 2012 at the Gundersen-Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse. She was born February 23, 1938 in Ettrick, WI to Rosslyn and Rose (Burns) VanRiper. In 1959 she married Herman Cousins and they were later divorced. On August 17, 1973 she married Duane L. Jerome and he preceded her in death on April 12, 2011. Mert and Duane lived in Kenosha, WI for 20 years before moving to Taylor, WI. She had worked at several different jobs and retired from Aurora Community Services. Mert and Duane thoroughly enjoyed dancing and their old time music. She also enjoyed woodworking, camping, hunting, fishing, gardening and traveling.

Mert is survived by two sisters; Gladys (Clyde) Lancaster of Afton, WY, and Sharon (Linky) Herried of Ettrick, WI; several nieces and nephews including a special niece, Debbie Fawcett of Centerville, WI; four step-children; Karen (Louis) DeFord of Park Falls, WI, Melodie Meyer of Racine, WI, Darrell Jerome and Yvonne Cochran both of Kenosha, WI; 11 step-grandchildren and 6 step-great-grandchildren along with many special friends. In addition to her husband Duane, she was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, Roy, Russell, Richard and Ronald VanRiper; five sisters, Francis Doeling, Mary Brenengen, Irene Thompson, Delores Richard and Alice Neumann.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, June 27th at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home, 200 West Ave. S., La Crosse with Pastor Scott McMurray officiating. Burial will follow in the Burns Cemetery, rural Bangor. Friends and family may call at the funeral home on Wednesday from 9:30 A.M. until the time of services.