Fourth Generation

37. Merle George PERGANDE Sr. was born on 27 March 1921 in Wilton, Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.^5,53,114,115 (The birth registration lists his name as "Merril George.") He was baptized on 8 May 1921 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.^114,115 He appeared in the census in 1930 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁹ Merle lived the original August Kewit residence on Hwy A, across from St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church. in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI after 1975. He died on 9 August 2009 at the age of 88 in Sparta, Sparta Township, Monroe County, WI.¹¹⁵

Obituary Notes: "Merle G. Pergande, 88, of Tomah, passed away peacefully Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009, at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare at Sparta. He was born March 27, 1921, to George and Elda (Marten) Pergande in the Town of Wilton. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at St. John Ev. Lutheran Church, Ridgeville. He was united in marriage to Helen L. Schaefer on Oct. 10, 1942. They lived in the Ridgeville area for most of their lives. She preceded him in death on Feb. 9, 1982. Merle was a truck driver at Concrete Products for many years. He loved to fish, garden and spend time with his friends and family. He loved watching his great-grandchildren run and play, especially his great-granddaughter Mackenzie, “My Little Dolly”. Merle was a faithful member of St. John Ev. Lutheran Church. He will sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his children, Richard (Judy) of Dubuque, IA, Eileen (Ralph) White of Potosi, Merle Jr. of Platteville, Judy (Bob) Johnson, Dan (Doris) and Ronald (Wanda), all of Dubuque, IA, Deb (Everett) Wallace of Tomah; a daughter-in-law, Sue Pergande of Hazel Green; 32 grandchildren, 86 great-grandchildren, and five great-great grandchildren, many other relatives and friends.

In addition to his wife Helen and his parents, he was preceded in death by two sons, Herman, and Robert; a daughter, Mary Jo, and two infant twins; a daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Pergande; two granddaughters, Tammy and Jennifer; a grandson, Timothy; a great-granddaughter, Chelsie; three great-grandsons, Kaden, Ryan, and Reggie, and three brothers, Lloyd, Ray and Myron.

Funeral services were held today (Thursday), Aug. 13, at 11 a.m. at St. John Ev. Lutheran Church, Town of Ridgeville. Pastor Matthew Minzlaff officiated. Burial was in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in the Town of Ridgeville with military honors by the Grassman-Sowle-Larsen-Senz American Legion Post #201.

Relatives and friends called at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, Tomah, on Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. and at the church today from 10 a.m. until time of the services."

Merle George PERGANDE Sr. and Louisa Helene "Helen" SCHAEFER were married on 10 October 1942 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.^11,72,73,116 Louisa Helene "Helen" SCHAEFER, daughter of Friedrich Heinrich Ernst SCHAEFER and Margaretha Anna NAUMANN, was born on 6 March 1924 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.^{11,19,53,74,112} She was listed as "Helen L." in the 1930 Census. She was baptized on 25 March 1924 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.¹¹² She appeared in the census in 1930 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁹ Helen died on 9 February 1982 at the age of 57 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.^11,74 She was buried on 12 February 1982 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.^9,11,74 at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery.

Merle George PERGANDE Sr. and Louisa Helene "Helen" SCHAEFER had the following children: