Susan K. Merriman
May 30, 1940 ~ January 21, 2018
Susan 'Kay' Hellmann Merriman, 77, of Columbus, passed away Sunday, January 21, 2018 at Four Seasons Health Center. The Omaha, Nebraska native was born May 30, 1940 to the late William Hellmann and Vera Fenster Hellmann. Kay married James Edward Merriman on August 14, 1966. After graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Kay taught kindergarten and first grade in Bakersfield and Costa Mesa, California. She was a homemaker for several years and then ran the family business, Funeral Coach Service Company, Incorporated in Madison, WI. She was a member of First Lutheran Church. Susan is survived by her husband; a son, David Merriman of Buffalo Grove, IL; a daughter, Christine Battaglia of Crystal Lake, IL and two grandsons, Colten James and Owen Michael Battaglia both of Crystal Lake, IL. Visitation will be from noon until 2:00 p.m. Friday at Four Seasons Chapel, with funeral service to follow at Four Seasons Chapel immediately thereafter. Inurnment will be at a later date in Omaha. Memorial donations may be made to the donor's choice of charity. You are invited to view her video tribute, light a virtual candle and send a message to the family via the internet. www.jewellrittman.com
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
An external video has been added.
Jim, David, Kristi, Colton and Owen: We were sad to hear about Kay’s passing. We will always remember the Hellmann Family Re of 2015. Kay was a very special and caring woman who will be greatly missed. Praying for you all.
So sorry to learn of Kay’s passing. We were so fortunate to have her in our lives, living just two hours away for most of our childhood (trips to Madison were a family highlight). Thoughts are with all who were touched by Kay’s lively spirit!
Jim, David and Kristi, and finally Colton and Owen; 1 was sadden to hear about Kay’s passing. I especially remember growing up and visiting Kay and the family at the “lake house” in Madison. Equally, I will always remember all of the fun we had at the Fenster family reunions. You are all in my prayers.
We have many fine memories over the years with Kay and Jim. Many times spent at Holidays in Madison and then at Zurich, Ill. followed by trips to Mexico and Cancun. My most recent conversation with Kay was at Christmas and I’m so happy to have had a nice long conversation with her. The cousins, Lois and Kay were very close and when Lois and I were living in Green Valley Kay was like a sister to Lois. After Lois passed and I met Nancy Kay welcomed her lovingly into the family. Her sense of fun, of hunting for pots with Lois and our bridge games and dinners with Jim and Kay will be with us forever. Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you during this difficult time. Leo Damkroger and Family
I was saddened to hear of Kays passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to Jim, Dave, Kristi, Cole and Owen in the loss of their wife, mother and grandmother. Due to distance, I wasnt able to really get to know Kay until she and Jim moved to Four Seasons, but in that short time, I learned that Kay was a generous and loving lady. She loved to laugh, and always had some project on her plate whether it was cards, a short trip to a fruit stand or a fabric store to pick up supplies for something she was making for a friend. Ill miss her and all the time we spent together, talking & laughing. RIP, Kay.
Jim, David, Kristi, Colton and Owen. You are in our thoughts and prayers. We so enjoyed our visit with Kay and Jim mid-October last year. Our many and fond memories start back in Nebraska as we cousins were growing up–with the many times we were together. We continued with visits over the years, some in Kay and Jim’s homes in Illinois, Wisconsin, Arizona and Indiana. We’ll always cherish her gifts of quilting with which she gifted our mother and us. They beautifully display her talent. Kay indeed enjoyed life to the fullest.
Uncle Jim, Kristi and Dave, We are very saddened to learn about Aunt Kay. She had so much spunk and we admired her for that along with her love of her dogs. We have wonderful memories and will be keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers. Keep all of your happy memories as a part of each and every day to make you smile!
Kay and I were cousins and had many good times together, both at the farm and in Omaha while growing up. I have good memories of Kay when the family all got together at the farm for Christmas and other holidays. We will always be thankful that Kay organized the Fenster Family Reunion which continues to help keep us all connected. God Bless you Kay. You will be missed.
My thoughts and prayers are with Kay’s family. My mom, Helen Schendel, was so happy to have spent time with Kay and Jim in October while visiting with other cousins. May you find comfort in the memories that you shared. Blessings.