LORETTA COYLE

Loretta M Coyle (nee Schiller), age 83 of Neenah-Menasha, passed away peacefully on January 17, 2022.

Born in Merrill, WI on August 20, 1938, Loretta was the youngest child of the late August and Emma (Wegend) Schiller. She married Bruce Rae in 1958 and was later divorced. She then married Thomas Coyle in 1986 and they lived together in Neenah until the time of his death in 2004.

Loretta attended Barnes Creek grade school and then Merrill High School where she graduated in 1956. After high school, Loretta moved to Neenah, WI to attend nursing school where she became a Licensed Practical Nurse. She received her diploma in 1958 through the Neenah-Menasha Vocational and Adult School for Practical Nursing. She went on to work at Theda Clark Hospital, Peabody Manor, and later the Visiting Nurses Association. She also was employed as an office nurse for various Fox Valley physicians, her favorite of which was for R. G. Carlson, M.D.

While raising her five children, Loretta was active in her church. She taught Sunday School, sang in the church choir, and held offices for the Stewardship and Worship committees. She was also a Girl Scout leader and PTA participant/office holder. Additionally, she served on the Neenah School District Title I Committee. Loretta also was a ten-year member of Neenah's Housing Rehab Committee, serving as chairperson for three years. Her hobbies were bowling, sewing, embroidery, painting, collecting bells, and watching the Packers. In her later years, she sewed quilt squares for St. Paul's Lutheran Church quilting group, served as an usher, and mentored a number of youth.

Once retired, Loretta enjoyed staying on the move. She and Tom LOVED to eat out and would do so multiple times per week. Their favorite restaurant for food and fun was Landreman's of Kaukauna. Even if Loretta didn't have time for a meal, she always had time for some pie. She loved her sweets!

Loretta also traveled to Germany twice with her granddaughters. She hosted her German relatives a number of times and kept family traditions alive through reunions at her home and in Merrill. She loved to attend class reunions in Merrill and kept up with the news of her hometown as a regular subscriber to the Merrill Foto News. Loretta was also very attentive to her (late) sisters, Edna Ranum and Marge Teske, traveling regularly to Westfield and Merrill to visit and assist them.

When her days of travel were reduced, Loretta enjoyed reading, doing crossword puzzles, participating in book club, visiting with neighbors/friends, doing word searches, having donuts and coffee with peers, and baking Christmas goodies. For a time, she even participated, and occasionally led, her building's exercise group.

Loretta is survived by her children: Tammy (Dwayne) Rose of Menomonee Falls, WI; Terri Shewmaker of Franktown, CO; Tracy (Chuck) Esser of Waukesha, WI; Darren (Susan) Rae of Kimberly, WI; and Mitchell (Kris) Rae of Castle Rock, CO. Loretta also shared a loving relationship with her stepdaughter, Maureen (Doug) Armstrong of Escondido, CA. She leaves behind a rich legacy in her grandchildren: Kyle (Liz) Rose; Lindsay (Josh) Steffen; Seth, Emma, and Elizabeth Shewmaker; Alexandra and Jake Esser; and Taylor Rae. She also has two beloved great-grandchildren, Charlee Shewmaker and Soon-to-be-born Baby Steffen. Additionally, she is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and beloved friends.

Loretta was preceded in death by her parents, husband, siblings (and spouses), and son-in-law, Timothy Shewmaker.

A funeral service will be held at 12:00 P.M. on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 200 N. Commercial St., Neenah with Rev. Amy Engebose officiating. A visitation will be held at church from 10:00 A.M. until the hour of service. Masks will be required. Loretta will be laid to rest at Oak Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Neenah, or to Prairie Homes Assisted Living in Menasha in Loretta's name.

The family would like to extend a warm thank you to nurses and staff of Prairie Homes and ThedaCare at Home Hospice for the compassionate care shown to Loretta in these last months.