Hertha M. Werner

Hertha Margarete Matilda Werner, 99, town of Wien, died Sunday, August 6, 2017 at Copperleaf Assisted Living, Marathon, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services. She was born August 24, 1917 to the late William and Louisa (Punke) Hoernke. Hertha attended grade school at Hoard School in the town of Frankfort and graduated from the Edgar High School and Marathon County Normal School. After graduating from Normal School, she taught grade school in Hamburg, Wien and Fenwood. On November 24, 1938 (Thanksgiving Day) she married Frederick "Fritz" Werner. He preceded her in death on April 23, 1991. Together, she and Fritz farmed in the town of Wien until 1972, when they moved to Fenwood. They had been involved with the Fenwood Implement since 1960. In 1972, they became the sole owners and operators of the store until it closed in 1991. After Fritz's death, and the Implement sold, Hertha moved to Edgar. Hertha resided there until 2014, when she moved to Copperleaf Assisted Living in Marathon, where she resided until her death. Hertha was very active all her life, whether she was caring for her children and grandchildren, farming, running the store or preparing income tax forms for others. She also spent many volunteer hours at St. John ELCA, where she was a lifelong member. She held many positions at St. John's, including teaching Sunday School, being an Officer of Woman's organization, helping with fundraisers and financial secretary for many years. Hertha volunteered at St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield for a number of years. Among her favorite pastimes, she enjoyed reading and spending time with her family. Her family will remember her Christmas tradition of making her raisin-filled cookies. She is survived by two sons, John (Betty) Werner and Gerald (Gayle) Werner, all of Edgar; one daughter, Susan (Kris Johnson) Werner, Madison; six grandchildren, Mike (Sonja Westfall) Werner, Laurie (Dave) Bryant, Lynn (Mike) Czech and Lana (Chris) Strasser, all of Edgar, Stacy (Tim) Henrichs, Athens, and Lisa (Chad) Oelke, Merrill; nine great-grandchildren, Taylor and Morgan Henrichs, Cassie, Ethan, and Jaidyn Oelke, Valerie and Vanessa Czech and Paige and Kaden Strasser; two sisters, Alma (Delbert) Denzine and Irma Hackel, all of Colby; and many nieces and nephews. Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Emily; one brother, Harold (Elfrieda) Hoernke; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Clarence and Ruth (Werner) Poeske; and one brother-in-law, Raymond Hackel. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 11, 2017 at St. John Lutheran Church, W1000 County Road N, Edgar (Town of Wien). Rev. Gail Sowell will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until time of services at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. John Lutheran Church in Hertha's name. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Copperleaf Assisted Living and the staff at Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services for the wonderful care and support you gave to Hertha. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Edgar is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com