Charlotte G. Mergen
July 29, 1918 ~ February 16, 2015
Charlotte G. Mergen passed away peacefully Monday, February 16, 2015 at her home in Fischer surrounded by her loving family. She was born on July 29, 1918 in Viroqua, WI to Ralph Grover and Jeannette Helgesen Grover. She later married N. Gregory Mergen, who preceded her in death in 1968. In addition, she was also preceded in death by her parents; her brother Ralph, and by grandson Greg Mergen. Survivors include her children: Ralph Mergen and wife, Karen, Carl Mergen and wife, Sandy, Janet Mitchell and husband, Raymond, Richard Mergen and wife, Lynda, Thomas Mergen and wife, Mary Frances, John Mergen and wife, Debra, 12 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.
Charlotte attended Viroqua High School and went on to earn an Associate Degree in Business from Blackburn College. After her marriage to Greg they lived in Madison, Wisconsin for several years before moving the family to El Paso. She later put her degree to work at Border Machinery and E&M Supply in El Paso. She then went into Civil Service and worked at Fort Bliss and later at White Sands Missile Range. While at White Sands, she got to witness the landing of Space Shuttle Columbia and meet the astronauts. She retired in 1983 and relocated to Fischer, Texas.
Charlotte loved the Canyon Lake area and was active in community service. She served as a volunteer at The Heritage Museum of the Texas Hill Country. She was on the Board of Directors of Fischer Store School Community Center, was active in the Comal County Extension Education Association (Homemakers Club), Comal County Agricultural Extension Advisory Board and Election Poll Worker. She served as treasurer of the Comal County 4H Scholarship Fund and was instrumental in growing it to what it is today.
Charlotte held a passion for animals and couldn't resist taking home a cat or a dog. She was a supporter of the ASPCA. She loved flowers and spent many hours grooming her roses. But, her greatest passion was her family. She took great pride in her six children and often could be heard talking about their accomplishments.
Memorial services are scheduled for 1:30 PM on Saturday, Feb 28 at North Shore United Methodist Church, 23880 N. Cranes Mill Rd., Canyon Lake, 78133. All services will end at the conclusion of the memorial service at the church. Interment of Charlotte's cremains will be held at a later date in El Paso
In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to North Shore United Methodist Church, Charlotte Mergen Memorial Fund.
The family also wishes to thank CIMA Hospice for their caring support.
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When I think of all the things I did wrong and all the times I came up short, and yet, mother was there to set me right again, I give thanks for her life. She was as good a mother as could ever be. Mother, I love you very much – be at peace.
I am so very sorry for you loss. Your Mom was quite the lady! Was glad to have known her. Ginny Cooper
My condolences to the family. I will think of you as you gather to remember your mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Sending love, Mary (Mergen) Alden
I know of no mother that wants her sons to ride a motorcycle including our mother. However, our mother was very special. At least three of her boys did ride. When I started going to the race track on my sport bike, she was the only one that supported me. Mom went to almost every Track day event I rode in. She would be in the paddock until I went out on the track and then go to trackside, watch for me and time my laps with a stopwatch. Then she would be back in the paddock when I came in off the track. Thanks mom for all your love and support throughout my life. May God Bless You.
My Mom, my Friend. I miss you! You are my role model. You are the best mom ever. By example you showed me the meaning of unconditional love. I carry in my heart so many wonderful memories of our times together. I love you forever!
Family was very important to my mother. She was always there to help any of her children, physically when was able or by enlisting them to help each other. I remember phone calls informing me that Carl or Richard or John has a project that they need help with (whether they wanted/needed help or not). Or Tommy is up here and needs your assistance (digging rocks, trimming trees, cutting grass, etc…). We will all miss her.
Gramma Char I am happy you are finally with Greg. Love, Linda Marie
Mother was small in stature but strong in character and large in heart. She raised six kids, five boys and a girl. It was a tough job but she did it well. We all turned out to be good human beings. She watched over us and spoke out if she thought we did not receive the respect and consideration from others that she felt we deserved. She had a loving and compassionate heart demonstrated by her love for her animals. And it was extended towards others too. She cared deeply for the welfare of her children. She never turned any of us down when we needed help in time of need as far and I know. She was a wonderful mother and I miss her.
As Ralph’s wife, in the 25 years I have been with Ralph I have no memory of Mom Mergen ever hurting my feelings or speaking unkindly to me. She has always treated me with respect. There is a reason I have always called her Mom, because I loved her like she was my Mom.
Charlotte was a sweet lady! I knew her from the Extension Homemakers Club. I miss the ladies I had the privilege to meet. Prayers for your family.
It has been said, “One is not really gone as long as We remember them.” Countless loving memories of Mom will bless our hearts for ever.
Although time and distance separated us through the years, I always knew love and strength of family. I now realize this is in large part because of Grandma Char. Specifically, she gave me my Dad, John, who has always been my steadfast source of love, provision, acceptance, patience and fun (!). Love and happiness echoed through the walls of my home growing up, and I can trace those back to the family she and Grandpa Greg created. Her strong mind and wit are legendary. In times of self-doubt, I draw on the fact that I descend from such strong, self-reliant, giving human being. I am honored to be one of her grandchildren. We will all miss you, Grandma Char.
Ever since I was a small child, I saw Grandma Char as someone to look up to and admire. She was a strong, modern woman and the caring matriarch of the Mergen family. I always felt she was the center of our family, our common element, that she actually made us a family, although we are spread out all over the country, and even the world. I’m glad she passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of her children. I wish I could have been with the family to say goodbye. I am proud to be Grandma Char’s granddaughter, I love her and will miss her very much.