Kay Merlo
PORT WASHINGTON Wis. — Kay Merlo, of Port Washington, Wis., formerly of Gladstone, went to her Heavenly Home on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018, surrounded by her loving family. She was 71 years old.
Kay was born in Manistique on July 27, 1947, daughter of Lauritz Hough and Patricia Curran Hough. She grew up in Manistique, graduating from Manistique High School with the class of 1965. After high school, Kay attended college at both St. Joseph’s Nursing School in Hancock, and Grace School of Nursing in Detroit. It was in Hancock that she met the love of her life, Michael Merlo. The couple were married in Detroit on March 5, 1971. He preceded her in death in 1988. After Michael’s death, she moved to Gladstone to raise her family. Kay worked as a nurse in the Gladstone area, until 2004 where she moved to New York to work as a traveling nurse. Kay was a free-spirited thrillseeker and very independent.
Kay was a member of All Saints Catholic Church in Gladstone. She enjoyed making jewelry, reading, traveling, but especially loved spending time with her grandchildren. Kay was full of faith and God’s love. She had a passion for teaching her family and others about God’s word. Kay understood that even through hard times, having a strong faith in God will help you get through it. She never doubted that God has a plan for all of us.
She is survived by her four children, Michael Merlo of Kalamazoo, Mich., Matthew (Shannon) Merlo of Port Washington, Wis., Angela Merlo of Fenton, Mich., and Peter (Stephanie) Merlo of Grand Forks, N.D. She is further survived by six grandchildren, Karley, Matthew, Lillian, Maxwell, Michael and Vincent; her mother, Patricia Hough of Manitowoc, Wis.; one sister, Annmarie (Randy) Ahola Sohlden of Manitowoc, Wis.; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Michael; her father, Lauritz Hough; her sister, Kim Marie Hough; and her father and mother-in-law, Vincent and Rose Merlo.
Family will receive friends Saturday, Sept. 1, from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, Sept. 1, at 2 p.m. at All Saints Catholic Church in Gladstone. Father Jamie Ziminski will celebrate the Mass. She will be laid to rest next to her husband in Lakeview Cemetery in Manistique.
The Skradski Funeral Home, Gladstone, and the Eernisse Funeral Home, Port Washington, Wis., are honored to serve the family. Online condolences may be left at www.skradskifuneralhomes.com or www.eernissefuneralhome.com