Maxine A. Merk

Maxine Ann (Wood) Merk, 88, of Ripon, passed away peacefully on September 7, 2025, in her beloved home on Rush Lake.

Born on February 26, 1937, to Walter and Viola Wood, Maxine grew up in Oshkosh and graduated from Oshkosh High School in 1955. She went on to earn an associate degree in early childhood education from SE Technical School in Mequon and later a degree in elementary teaching from UW–Whitewater. Teaching was not just her career but her calling, and she began her journey in rural Oshkosh classrooms.

On April 4, 1959, Maxine married the love of her life, Kenneth Merk. In 1966, they moved to Brown Deer, where Maxine became the head teacher in the toddler and infant department at the Deerwood Center. In 1995 Maxine and Ken built their dream home on Rush Lake and settled in Ripon, where she finished her teaching career at the Ripon Children’s Learning Center, continuing her passion for guiding and nurturing little ones.

Even after retirement, Maxine’s love for children shone through in her time with her grandchildren, Jacob and Rebecca. She cherished their weekends together, teaching them countless card games—though cribbage was always the favorite. She gave of herself endlessly, always putting others before her own needs. While strong-willed, her every decision was rooted in care and good intentions.

Maxine had many joys outside of teaching. She loved duck and deer hunting with Ken and Jeff. She found peace in her garden and took pride in canning her famous pears, peaches, pickles, and tomato juice. Her kitchen was the heart of her home, where she expressed her love through food—especially her unbeatable chocolate chip cookies and chocolate cake with buttercream frosting.

She is survived by her son, Jeffrey Merk, and daughter, Julie Andaloro; her grandchildren, Jacob (Abby) Merk and Rebecca (Tony) Gill; great-grandchildren, Easton and Rory Merk; brothers George (Irene) Wood and Rod Wood; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Merk; parents, Walter and Viola Wood; sisters and brothers-in-law Carla and Ervin Nemitz, Shirley and Roger Radloff; sisters-in-law Beverly Wood, Ester Desbrow, Jeannette Hoffman, Mary Fuller; and brothers-in-law Hugh Merk and Jack Fuller.

Per Maxine’s wishes, a private graveside service will be held.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Alice Himmler, Kathy Paschke, and Grace Oliver for their compassionate care, which allowed Maxine to remain in the comfort of her home until her peaceful passing.