Merryjo Ann Bersch

Merryjo Ann Bersch (Dufeck), loving mother of six, avid lover of nature and animals, fulfilled her earthly duties and was called home to rest in the arms of The Lord on April 3, 2023.

She was born to the late Earl and Elaine Dufeck, on Christmas Eve of 1937 in Denmark, Wisconsin. That Christmas Eve the world was blessed with a wonderful gift. Merryjo was known to shower everyone with a compassionate heart and a delicious home cooked meal. She possessed a wonderful gift of caring and compassion for everyone she met.

Merryjo was blessed with six children, Mike Kolarik, Mark Kolarik (Pat), Steve Kolarik (Mary), Scott Kolarik (Karen), Mary Lynn Kolarik and Kathy Jo Hage (Jeff). The blessings continued with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Merryjo met Leo at a Halloween party in 1990, that began the wonderful adventure in love and friendship until Leo passed away in 2019. They loved their time in northern Wisconsin and spent many winters in Arizona and Texas. The many trips they enjoyed took them to Alaska and Australia, also several cruises. They also traveled the state of Wisconsin with the joy of a tourist.

Merryjo’s love of animals was obvious from a young age. She had a small dog as a young girl, she named that dog, Chink Kie Kheck and her last beloved small dog was named Peanuts. Peanuts passed away shortly after Merryjo. She had many pets throughout the years and took great joy in them. Merryjo spent much of her adult years living in Northern Wisconsin. She had a love of gardening and worked tirelessly throughout many days in her garden. After a labor of love day at her north woods home, she looked forward to a relaxing cocktail with the love of her life, Leo. Many times, they were blessed with a show of nature’s beauty, sipping a cocktail, and watching a deer graze in the yard, or a flock of wild turkeys strutting through the yard- most exhilarating were the bear visits. I never understood how she could keep calm when the bear visited the yard while she was in the garden, just goes to show even the animals could feel her calm love.

Among the many talents and hobbies, Merryjo loved to cook and try every new kitchen gadget. Although she loved kitchen gadgets, we all can remember her homemade noodles, no gadget needed. Her ability to knit was impressive and anyone in possession of a pair of her knit slippers is holding a true treasure. She loved gardening and doing the fall canning. The last jars she canned were labeled “End of Garden,” those jars were a mixture of every remaining item at the end of the garden/canning season.

Merryjo was blessed with many friendships throughout her years, I would be amiss if I did not mention the loving friendship that meant the most; the friendship she shared with her cousin, Nancy Johnson. These ladies have enjoyed many years together from childhood on and when separated by states they visited and talked daily.

Family and friends may visit Friday, August 4, 2023, at Cotter Funeral Home Denmark Chapel, 536 County Rd R, Denmark, WI, from 12:30pm until 2:30pm. A private graveside service will be held at All Saints Catholic Cemetery with Rev. Richard Klingeisen officiating.