Amy Marie Merckx

Amy Marie (Vandenberg) Merckx, age 39, passed away on January 1, 2009 surrounded by her family. We lost our hero. Amy was an example for all of us to follow. Despite many years of illness, Amy led a courageous and generous life, always thinking of others. No matter what life dealt her, she faced it with courage and defiance. Amy was an inspiration to all who met her and loved her.

Amy was born February 13, 1969 in Appleton, to Lyle and Karen (Menting) Vandenberg. She attended local schools and was a graduate of Kimberly High School, class of 1987.

On May 8, 1993 Amy was united in marriage to Paul G. Merckx at Holy Name Catholic Church, Kimberly.

She always took great joy in cooking and baking meals for her family and friends. Amy often spent countless hours baking goods that both her children took to school. She also enjoyed summer camping trips with her family and parents at Boulder Lake.

Amy talked often about her job and the people she worked with. To all the people from Kohl's Department Store, Darboy, she talked about you as if you were her family. The kindness that all of you have shown over the years really meant a lot to Amy and her family. Thank you, will never be enough. Words cannot express our family's gratitude to all the workers for everything that has been given.

In addition to her husband Paul and her parents Lyle and Karen of Combined Locks, Amy is survived by her two wonderful children Amanda and Mason; her brother Lance (Jill) Vandenberg of Freedom and their children Bailee and Bryce; her paternal grandfather Leo H. Vandenberg of Crivitz; mother-in-law Evelyn Merckx of McFarland; seven brothers-in- law, Perry, Combined Locks, Greg, Kevin (fiancée Barb Jahnke), Richard (fiancée Donna Hopfensperger) and Jonathan all of Kimberly, Jamie (Chris) of Darboy, Brett (Corey) of Oshkosh; eleven cousins, Keely, Taylor, Kifer, Matthew, Casey, Nichole (Tom) Veiau, Justin, Tyler, Kyle, Eryn, Megan, Ethan; and many other relatives and friends.

Amy is preceded in death by her maternal grandparents Ray and Dorothy (Williams) Menting, and her paternal grandmother Marion (De Goey) Vandenberg; her father-in- law and mother-in-law John Victor Merckx and Mae Rita Mezelin.

A Memorial Service for Amy will be held Monday, 7:00 p.m. January 5, 2009 at Jansen Fargo Funeral Home, 204 E. Kimberly Avenue, Kimberly. Deacon George Schraufnagel will be the officiant. Friends may call at the funeral home on Monday from 4:00 p.m. until the time of service.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Amy's name.

To Uncle Roy Vandenberg you held a special place in Amy's heart. Your selfless act of a kidney donation allowed Amy to continue her courageous fight.

Please be an organ donor.

Our hearts are forever broken and
will never heal from our loss.

Amer,

You have taken your candle to a room I cannot find.
But we know where you've been by all the lights you've left behind.

Love you,
Miss you,

Paul