Stella E. Schoerner, age 97, of the Town of Merrill, died Monday, July 2, 2012, at Ministry Good Samaritan Health Center, Merrill.
Stella was born on March 12, 1915, in Cylon, Wisconsin, daughter of the late Albert and Inga (Arnson) Torkelson. She married Edward Schoerner on June 21, 1947, in Chippewa Falls. He preceded her in death on June 26, 1998. Stella had worked as a sales clerk at Gimbles Department Store in Milwaukee, and at Peoples Store in Chicago. She also hobby farmed in the Town of Merrill. Stella was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Irma, where she was the former president of the Ladies Aid. She was a foster mother for several years. At one time, Stella was the oldest foster mother in the state of Wisconsin. Stella belonged to the Birthday Club in the Town of Merrill and the Senior Citizen’s Club in Merrill. She enjoyed playing cards and spending time with her family.
Stella is survived by her three foster children, Dawn (George) Chaparas, of Milwaukee, John (Donna) Schoerner, of Gleason, and Jeff (Tracy) Apkarian, of Johnson Creek; seven foster grandchildren, Eddie, John, Frank, and Sarah Schoerner, and Angelia, Adam, and Zane Apkarian; six foster great-grandchildren; and a special nephew and caregiver, Donald Torkelson, of Merrill. Stella was preceded in death by one foster son, Frank Marten.
The funeral service will be at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, July 7, 2012, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Irma. The Rev. Hans Heisinger will officiate. Burial will be in Holcombe Cemetery, Town of Lake Holcombe, Chippewa County, on Monday, July 9, 2012. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Friday at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, and after 9:30 A.M. Saturday at the church. The Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com