Merle Ann Teske, 73, of North Prairie, peacefully passed away Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009, at Waukesha Springs in the arms of her loving family.
    Merle was born July 7, 1936, the daughter of the late Horace and Alice Whitmore.
    Merle was a proud member of the First Congregational Church of Genesee where she was a deacon and past trustee. She served on the North Prairie Volunteer Fire Department as president of the auxiliary and was a past board member for the North Prairie Village Board. She was a retired school teacher and a devoted homemaker. Merle and her husband, Bud, believed in being very active in their community.
    Merle was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Eldor "Bud," in 2008.
    She will be sadly missed by her children: sons, John (Judy) and James (Carol); daughters, Patsy (Joe) Schneider, Dana Teske (life partner Elly Carpenter) and Nan Teske; six grandchildren, Leah Teske, Tara Teske, Jaclyn (Ryan) Wolf, Eric (Lara) Schneider, Tyler Teske and Jonathon Teske; five great grandchildren, Justin Teske-Wolf, Jacob Lloyd, Andrew Lloyd, Alexa Wolf and Noah Lloyd; sisters, Mary (Richard) Savatski and Nancy (Donald) Stein; and a brother, Burnell Whitmore. Merle is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. She welcomed so many into her large and loving "extended" family and was a motherly spirit to all that found their way to her.
    Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. until the 7 p.m. funeral service today, Dec. 29, at the First Congregational Church of Genesee (Educational Unit,) W306-S5047 Church St., Genesee, with the Rev. Joseph Medina officiating. Burial will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30, at St. Paul’s Cemetery, Highway DE, township of Genesee. Please meet at the cemetery.
    Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the North Prairie Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary or the First Congregational Church of Genesee.
    For online obituary and guest registry, go to www.hdlfuneralhomes.com. Mealy’s Funeral Home is assisting the family. For further information, please call 594-2442.