Betty Merkel

Betty Mae Merkel, 86, of Sheboygan, was called to heaven Thursday, May 28, 2015. Betty was born May 25, 1929, in Marshfield to the late Isadore and Mary Dieringer. After graduating from Marshfield High School, Betty worked in Milwaukee where she met her husband, Dan. They married on May 20, 1952. She dedicated her life to raising her four children and supporting her husband, including the efforts of building and growing American Orthodontics. Along with her husband Dan of 63 years, Betty is survived by four children, Doug (Suzy) Merkel, North Carolina, Diane (Allie) Knoll, Stratford, Carol (Carlos) Garces, New Berlin and Sandra (Randy) Benz, Brookfield; nine grandchildren, Sara (John) Dahmen, Adam Knoll (fiancée Angela Walters), John (Jackie) Knoll, Dan Garces (fiancée Katelan Fosse), Maria Garces, Casey Garces, Anthony (Tiffanie Mosey) Benz, Derek Benz and Emily Benz; four great grandchildren, William, Hannah and Jack Dahmen and Hayley Knoll; one brother, Bill (Mona) Dieringer, Marshfield. In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by two sisters, Luella (Gil) Petroske and Shirley (Jim) Strupp. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, June 1 at 11 a.m. at St. Dominic Catholic Church (2133 N. 22nd Street, Sheboygan) with the Fr. Philip Reifenberg and Fr. Matthew Widder as celebrants. Friends may call on Sunday, May 31 starting at 5:00 p.m and concluding with a rosary at 6:45 p.m. at Zimmer's Westview Funeral and Cremation Care Center (Hwy 42 & JJ, Howards Grove). Visitation will continue on Monday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Interment will follow the Mass at Calvary Cemetery. Thank you to all have shown your love and friendship to Betty throughout her life.