Loretta Darlene Meuret

Loretta "Redda" Darlene Meuret (Jozwiak), born October 9, 1936 in Hatley, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully at the age of 88 at Wausau Hospital on Tuesday, August 12, 2025.

Redda was the 10th of 11 children born to Barney and Helen (Trzebiatowsk) Jozwiak. Though she grew up during The Great Depression and WWII, Redda didn't let scarcity ruin her ability to enjoy time with her friends, including brooming off the local creek for ice skating during winter, or swimming in the Plover River during the summer months. One of her favorite memories about her years at the school in Hatley was when the Science teacher left the room and the kids would take out the mercury and let the beads roll across the floor after they used it to polish their jewelry.

Redda married Wally Meuret in 1956 in Mississippi and they moved to Florida and then back to Wisconsin after his service in the Air Force. Together they had five children; Jim, Debbie, Bob, Barry 'Beaver', and Gary. In 1968, Redda and Wally moved to the home on Jones Ave where she lived until her passing. She was an expert at making her house a home that welcomed countless family, friends, and neighbors over the decades. It was here that Redda also partnered with her husband, Wally, in many volunteer organizations such as the Bevent Lion's Club, St. Florian's Catholic Church, Hatley Fire and Ambulance, the Wisconsin DNR Hunter and Recreational Safety programs, and also with his opening of The Gun Mart. She also volunteered as a Cub Scout Den Mother to a group of the local boys.

Redda was a master at making people feel comfortable, cared for, and loved. Whether it was baking cookies or rice crispy treats, or sending a stick of gum or a few dollars in a card to "buy ice cream" or " get a sandwich" on her, she was always finding a way to tell people she cared and to make sure they felt special.

In her later years, she found great joy in being a part of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren's lives, attending many concerts, school functions, and sporting events. Redda actively sought to get to know and enjoy time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, from playing ball in the yard and requesting musical performances, to traveling to visit them as far as Texas, Arizona, North Carolina, and Minnesota. She also enjoyed joining some of the other Hatley locals at the monthly "old people's meeting," where she would catch up with friends and bring brownies or other treats. Redda was always up for an adventure, whether it was picking berries along the railroad tracks, a snowmobile or motorcycle ride, or playing in the sandbox or in the lake with grandkids. She knew how to appreciate the simple joys of life like sharing food with family, watching the birds on her deck, or creating games for the kids to play. She made sure children always had fun. Every action was selfless; she spent her life thinking about other people and what she could do to help them. Redda will be sorely missed by many.

Loretta is survived by her children, Jim (Ellen), Debbie (Mike) Mitchell, Bob, Barry 'Beaver' (Tina), and Gary (Sharon); grandchildren, Andrea Robarge-Sinkbeil (Brandon Sinkbeil), Angela (John) Zogata, Mike Mitchell (Jaslina Paintal), Tom (Laura) Mitchell, Samantha Meuret (Josh King), Stephanie (Brody) Wogernese, Heidi Meuret, and great grandchildren, Declan, Kiyra, Fulton, Kinley and Kaylin Zogata, Sam and Kate Mitchell, Willow and Ellory Wogernese, and Emery King.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Wally, and all of her brothers and sisters.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at St. Florian's Catholic Church in Hatley. Rev. John Kennedy will preside. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the start of the service.

Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Wittenberg is assisting the family with arrangements. Memories and messages of support may be shared at schmidtschulta.com.