Merle F. Stuewe

Merle F. (Wilson) Stuewe, age 85, a resident of Manitowoc, entered eternal life on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at Azura Memory Care in Manitowoc.
Merle was born on December 10, 1937 in Baraboo to the late Harold and Genevieve (Dwyer) Halbman. After graduating as valedictorian from her high school in Evansville, WI with the class of 1955, she went on to obtain her Bachelors Degree in Music Performance from UW Madison. On June 13, 1959, Merle married Hubert Wilson. He preceded her in death on January 30, 1978. In 1989, Merle married Burlyn Stuewe. He preceded her in death on June 12, 2012. Following the death of her first husband, she went back to school to obtain her degree in accounting from Lakeshore Technical Institute. For several years, Merle worked in bookkeeping at Imperial Eastman to support her children. She was an avid golfer in the summer months, curling in the winter, and playing bridge weekly with friends. Merle enjoyed knitting sweaters – some of which she sold. Above all, music was a driving force in her life. She was a longtime flautist in the Manitowoc Symphony Orchestra, and a member or the First Lutheran Church in Manitowoc where she played in the handbell choir.
Survivors include Merle's three children, Laurie Wilson Espinosa, La Crescenta, CA; Melanie (Eric) Wilson Silverman, New York, NY; and Lance Wilson, Manitowoc; and eight grandchildren, Danielle, Mason, Alexander, Gage, Mitchell, Riley, Wyatt, and Nina. Merle was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Genevieve Halbman; first husband, Hubert Wilson; second husband, Burl Stuewe; and three siblings, Jane Donovan, Philip Halbman, and Mary Halbman.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 27, 2023 at the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home with Rev. Andrew Wendle officiating. Cremation has taken place at the Harrigan Parkside Crematory and Chapel with burial of Merle's cremated remains to follow the service at Evergreen Cemetery. A luncheon for family and friends will then be held at the Harrigan Parkside Gathering Center, located on the south property of the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials in Merle's name.
Merle's family would like to extend their thanks and appreciation to the staffs of Laurel Grove Assisted Living and Azura Memory Care for all of the care and compassion they provided.
The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
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