Betty J. Merkel, 91 of Marshfield died peacefully on Friday, April 25, 2014 at the House of The Dove in Marshfield. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:30am Friday, May 9, 2014 at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Marshfield with Fr. Eric Berns and Fr. Jim Logan officiating. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Family will receive relatives and friends at the church from 10:30am until time of services. Rembs Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. Betty was born on May 14, 1922 in Pittsville to John and Jeanette (Saunders) Pabst. She graduated from Pittsville High School and attended St. Joseph's School of Nursing. She was united in marriage to Karl W. Merkel on February 22, 1941 in Marshfield and they celebrated their 70th Anniversary. Karl died on December 25, 2011. Betty is survived by her children, Patricia (Don) Kaiser of Marshfield, Richard (Nancy) Merkel, Thomas (Lisa Baeten) Merkel, K. Michael Merkel and Robert (Anne) Merkel all of Marshfield. 17 grandchildren, Bob (DeeDee) Zarada II, Elizabeth (Ron Sanger) Zarada, Debbie (Brad Wiesenthal) Long, Kristy Zarada, Nikki (Lonnie) Reetz, Ricky Merkel, Kelly (Carlos) Goetz, Rachel (Eric Jakobi) Merkel, Sara Merkel, John (Emily) Merkel, Janelle (Matthew) Weaver, Michelle (Mark) Dungy, Jason Merkel, James Merkel, Katie (Dan Shuster) Merkel, Jenny (Ted) Nikolai and Jeffrey Merkel; 28 great grandchildren and six great great grandchildren and her half sister Marilyn (Chip) Sitenga of Machesney Park, IL. Besides her parents and husband Karl, she was preceded in death by daughter Mary Kay Merkel, son John Merkel and step mother Clarice Pabst. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made out to Our Lady of Peace Parish, Columbus High School, or the House of the Dove Hospice. Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com