A nice gathering of friends and family at Holy Trinity Church in Kewaskum on Tuesday to remember Isabelle Muckerheide, 98.
Isabelle was part of the fabric of Kewaskum. She died Monday, Sept. 19 a day after checking into hospice.
During visitation there were a lot of great memories and photos shared as family and friends came appropriately dressed in their favorite brooch – or they borrowed on from Isabelle; it was her subtle signature fashion statement and she owned it.
Prior to the start of Mass members of the Muckerheide shared stories of Isy; some did it with a poem in tribute to her gift of prose.
One relative spoke about helping Isabelle clean out her home prior to her move about a year ago to West Allis. “I found 27 potato peelers,” she said. “Help yourself when you leave church.”
The woman said they teased Isabelle about all the things she had collected/acquired. “Isy said each thing she saved had a story…. and then she came out of a room with a stack of letters from my father when he was in service in WWII. The letters were as thin as tissue paper. I guess she saved a lot of treasures too.”
One of the more poignant moments came as Isabelle’s niece Pat Celek read a poem titled: Isy Eulogy poem.
It was July the sixth of 1918 when Isabella was born
Her parents said her birth brought peace to a world that was war-torn.
Anton and Stella welcomed Isy as did his sister and two brothers
A hard life kept her folks quite busy but still they bore two others.
Neshkoro was the name of the place where they put down roots so deep
Their parents taught them of God’s grace and the blessings it would reap.
When school is over and times were lean Isy left for where the grass was green
She worked as a maid, a cook, and baker the beginnings of a great homemaker.
Her world was broader for a while her customers she would beguile
Spencer Tracy was the name that gave her a little claim to fame.
Then her mom said I am tired and coming home was now required
And though it wasn’t in her plan, back in Neshkoro she met a man.
His name was Al, he was in town to help with bridge construction
He found out who the new girl was and made his introduction.
It didn’t take long for love to grow and Isy married Al her beau
They were together nearly 40 years lots of laughter and a few tears 
They made a home in Kewaskum, proud to say there they held from
On that plot on 28 each lived with their one true soul mate.
Auctions, gardens, cooking, baking, a smile with every undertaking
Canning, weeding, caning quilting; working hard and never wilting.
Together they became town fixtures; see what they did and all the pictures
Helped the museum, joined the legion, made things better in this region.
But then her husband her true love was called home to their God above 
A great loss that was hard to bear, a love like theirs was truly rare.
She kept up her home when Al was gone had many friends she could lean on
Watching out for her were neighbors she was grateful for their labors.
But then Father Time knocked at her door living alone was an option no more.
So she sorted through her stuff and what she kept was just enough
To fit into the home she’d share with a sister who had a room to share.
It was a difficult decision to make such a major life transition.
Her friends and neighbors she’d leave behind and they had to her been kind.
But to West Allis she did go and go, go, go she would
She was busy living there for life was still quite good.
Bingo, State Fair, and the word search, sheepshead, garden and to her church
Concerts, shows, her veggie plot, rummy games she played with Dot.
Selling hot pads, read the home news. Take time with neighbors to schmooze.
Fish fries, parties, the hairdresser visit – at 98 she looked exquisite.
She continued until her body failed, her final breath at last exhaled
We asked God to take her in his care and he gave an answer to our prayer.
This woman of faith this woman of grace has a crown awaiting in a heavenly place
She was welcomed home by God’s own son, he greeted her and said, “Well done.”
