Betty Lou Merkel, 85, of Rockford, IL, passed away peacefully Tuesday afternoon, June 8, 2021 surrounded by her loving family. She was born July 2, 1935 in Chippewa Falls, WI, the daughter of Robert and Ruth (Larson) Mattson. Betty married the love of her life, Raymond J. Merkel, Sr. on September 26, 1953. She worked as a Senior Claims Analyst for Pioneer Insurance for over 32 years. Betty enjoyed gardening, sewing, embroidery and crafts. She liked cooking, canning and fishing. Her pride and joy was her special companion, Cuddles. Betty was the matriarch of our family and she will be deeply missed.
Betty is survived by her children, Jan (Mark) Berryman, Rhonda (Jeff) Vurnovas and Raymond (Joan Fieldsend) Merkel, Jr.; grandchildren, Jerome and Candice Berryman, Josh (Michelle) and Amanda Vurnovas, and Kimberly (Tom) Cantele; great-grandchildren, Charlie, Jordy, Kyla and Easton; and one brother, Chetek, WI. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband, Raymond, Sr.
A funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m., Friday, June 11, 2021 at Sunset Funeral Home, 8800 N. Alpine Rd, Machesney Park, IL, 61115 with a visitation to take place from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service. The funeral service will be livestreamed at www.facebook.com/sunsetfuneralhomeIL. Memorials may be made to the family. Private burial in Sunset Memorial Gardens. To share a condolence, please visit www.Sunsetfhmemgardens.com.
