Obituary: Myrtle Elizabeth Poff

On Dec. 23, Myrtle Elizabeth Poff was taken to the heavenly mansion prepared for her, just one day short of her 95th birthday. Although Myrtle's birthday celebrations were often overshadowed by the celebration of Jesus her Savior's birth, she now is enjoying an eternal banquet in His presence.

Myrtle was born in Milwaukee on Dec. 24, 1917, the daughter of Christian and Alma (nee Severson) Peterson. She married Jesse J. Poff on May 17, 1935. Myrtle's love for travel took her to each of the 50 states and several foreign countries. She made more than 100 quilts, which she happily gave away, and for 13 years taught sewing skills to many in the 4-H. Until well into her seventies, her desire to volunteer led her to play cards with people under the care of Lutheran Social Services and to read to children in the Jesus Cares program. She also volunteered many baskets of home-baked treats.

Myrtle will be dearly missed by her children: Roger (Jean) Poff of Nevada City, CA, Joan (Ron) Zahn of De Pere, WI, Donna (John) Ibisch of Brookfield, WI, Suzanne (Tom) Blazier of Albuquerque, NM, Janine Petrie of Oconomowoc, WI, and Luanne (Paul) Salgado of Vicksburg, MS; her fourteen grandchildren: Becky (Scott) Stonestreet, Mark (Tracy) Poff, Theresa (Martin) Wildauer, Philip (Tina) Zahn, Todd Zahn, Randy (Katherine) Zahn, Joel (Rachel) Zahn, Sarah (Aaron) McGowan, Rachel (Kurt) Kostrzewa, Steve (Renee) Ibisch, Beth (Mike) Kuschel, Melissa Petrie, Jesse Salgado, and Julia (Shane) Rafferty; her thirty-two great-grandchildren; and other family and friends. Myrtle was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse; her brothers: Arthur, Milton, Raymond, Chester, and Stanley Peterson; Jesse's three sisters and five brothers; and other family and friends.

The visitation for Myrtle will be from 9:30 a.m. until the funeral service at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, 1941 Madison St., Waukesha, WI 53188. The Reverend Michael Turriff will be officiating the service. The burial rite for Myrtle will take place following the service at the Quarterline-Evergreen Cemetery in Troy Center, WI.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated by the family to either Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church (address above) or to Rennes Health and Rehab Center, 200 South Ninth Street, De Pere, WI 54115. The family is deeply appreciative of the kind care provided by Rennes for the past three years.

Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home, Cremation and Pre-Planning Services is serving the family. For the online obituary or to leave a message of condolence, please visit www.WaukeshasFuneralHome.com, or call 262-542-6609.