Ione Marie Lemmer, age 82, of Merrill, passed away Wednesday, July 29, 2015, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, under the care of her family and nursing home staff.
Ione was born February 18, 1933, in Kendall, Wisconsin, daughter of the late George and Minne Saxby. She was a graduate of Merrill High School. Ione married the love of her life, Marvin Lemmer on June 23, 1951, in Merrill. He preceded her in death on September 14, 2004. Ione was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Ione and her late husband, Marvin, owned, built and operated the family dairy farm in the Town of Harding from 1951 until 1995. She was involved with the farm well into her retirement. Ione was proud to provide private home care nursing. She also drove school bus. Ione was most proud of her family and the family farm. She was the rock of the family. Ione was a devout wife, mother and grandmother through the joys and tragedies of life. She made every family holiday and gathering special with her cooking and love.
Survivors include two daughters, Mary (Kenneth) Stewart, of Somerville, AL and Marsha Eckerle, of Merrill; two sons, Mike Lemmer (Cindy Bushar) of Petersburg, TN and Matt Lemmer, of Merrill; eight grandchildren, Jason, Jamie, Jenny, Melissa, David, Samantha, Ashley and Mark; six great-grandchildren, Lauren, Cody, Mariah, Caden, Abby, and Aaron; two sisters, Margy (William) Seegar, of Cottonwood, AZ and Virginia (Fred) Roum of West Allis, Wisconsin; and one brother, Norman (Joyce) Saxby of Merrill. Besides her husband and parents, Ione is preceded in death by one son, Mark Lemmer; one grandson, Jon Manthei; a son in law, Dave Eckerle; and two sisters, Baby Leila Jean Saxby, and Elaine Kleinschmidt.
A private family service was held. Father Chris Kemp presided at the graveside service. Pall bearers were her sons Mike and Matt, her daughters Mary and Marsha, and her grandsons Jason and Shane. The Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, assisted the family.
Memorials can be directed to the Lincoln County Humane Society in Ione’s name.
The Lemmer family would like to thank Dr. Gregory Gill and Dr. Hamied Rezazadeh, Ione’s life-long friend Dorothy Mussell, and the Pine Crest staff who provided her excellent care.
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com.