Ethel Herriges, (nee Kirmse), age 84, of the Village of Newburg, was called home to her Lord on Tuesday, July 4, 2006 at her residence surrounded by her loving family.
She was born in Fillmore on July 30, 1921 to the late Elmer and Julia (nee Ternes) Kirmse. Ethel was employed by Pick Manufacturing in West Bend. A short time later she was united in marriage to Joseph C. Herriges on August 2, 1941 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Newburg. Ethel was the incredible mother of three children and two foster children, Douglas Schneider and David Laubenstein. She was a leader in their 4-H club, and was a member of the Christian Mothers Club. When her children were young, she began cleaning at Holy Trinity Grade School so she could be closer to them. Ethel was an excellent cook. As her children grew up she used her passion for cooking to become a chef for the University of Wisconsin Washington County. She also worked for the Painted Lady in Newburg. Ethel was a gifted seamstress and an excellent gardener.
Ethel is survived by her loving husband, Joseph; three children, Sheila (Eddie) Cherwink of Cedarburg, Linda (James) Twelmeyer of Wauwatosa, and Terry (Wendy) Herriges of Newburg; seven grandchildren, Wendy (David) Siedlecki of Glendale, Robert (Stacy) Bast of Shorewood, Joseph Twelmeyer of Toledo, Ohio, Joshua Twelmeyer of Provo, Utah, Julia (Joshua) Lynch of Palm Springs, California, Spencer Twelmeyer of Wauwatosa, and Melissa Herriges of Newburg; and two great-grandchildren, Kaylee and Zoe Siedlecki of Glendale. She is further survived by four brothers, Eugene (Marilyn) Kirmse of Saukville, Raymond (Sally) Kirmse of Newburg, Jack (Carol) Kirmse of Campbellsport, and Robert (Loretta) Kirmse of West Bend; four sisters, Blanch (Walter) Batterman of Milwaukee, Jenny Kurtz of West Bend, Myrtle (Merlin) Wilkens of West Bend, and Mary Lou (Clyde) Gerner of West Bend; a sister-in-law, Susie Kirmse; a brother-in-law, Donald Race; 35 nieces and nephews; and many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Winnie Race; her brother, Orville Kirmse; and her brother-in-law, Clarence Kurtz.
A funeral service in remembrance of Ethel will be held on Sunday, July 9, 2006 at 4:00 pm at the Myrhum-Patten Funeral Home in West Bend. Father Guy Gurath will officiate. Visitation with the family will be on Sunday from 1:00 pm until the time of service. Burial will take place on Monday in Holy Trinity Cemetery in Newburg.
Memorials to the charity of the donor's choice would be appreciated by the family.