Kathryn E. "Candy" Merriam, (nee Weiss) age 84, of West Bend, passed away Friday, January 6, 2006 at St. Luke's Medical Center in Milwaukee.
She was born on November 24, 1921 in West Bend to the late Matthew and Anna (nee Peters) Weiss. She graduated from West Bend High School and then attended business school in Milwaukee. After her schooling she became employed at the Gehl Company as a secretary. On June 19, 1942 Candy was united in marriage to Tom Merriam in Lynchburg, VA where he was stationed at the time during WWII. Tom became a prominent attorney in West Bend and later a judge in Washington County. He preceded Candy in death on July 6, 1996.
Candy was an active member of St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, where she did volunteer work and helped on the prayer chain. She was a member of St. Joseph's Hospital Ladies Aux., and a long time member of the West Bend Country Club. Candy was also an active volunteer for the Meals on Wheels program.
She was an avid bridge player, loved the game of golf (she especially enjoyed beating her sons-in-law), and also enjoyed cross-country skiing and traveling.
Candy is survived by five children, Pat (Bill) Kulkoski of Green Bay, Peg (Tom) Ryan of Dubuque, IA, Tom (Barbara) Merriam of Oshkosh, Tim (Janet) Merriam of Seattle, WA, and Michael (Lynette) Merriam of Phoenix, AZ; Seven grandchildren, Lisa (Jacques) Condon, Nicole (Ed) Kujawa, Kelly (Paul) Smerz, Amanda Kulkoski, Nick Merriam, Nathan Merriam, and Kati Merriam; two great-grandchildren, Danny and Ellanna Kujawa; a sister, Marie (Orv) Strachota, and a brother, Joseph (May Bell) Weiss, both of West Bend; other relatives and many friends. She was preceded in death by three sisters, Armella Burt, Lorraine Heindel and Mark Baumgartner, and with three brothers, Ray, Arnold, and Bob.
A Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate Candy's life will be held on Monday, January 9, 2006 at 5:00 pm at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church. Rev. Jeffrey Haines will be the celebrant. Visitation will be Monday at the church only from 3:00 pm until the time of Mass. Cremation will follow at Myrhum ~ Patten Funeral & Cremation Service. Memorials to St. Frances Cabrini Church or the American Heart Assoc. are appreciated.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the wonderful staff at St. Luke's Medical Center for the extensive care given to Candy.