Obituary of Janet Rosa Merz

Janet Rosa (O'Loughlin) Merz died peacefully in her sleep January 15, 2015 in Colorado Springs, CO. She is preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Frederick Merz. Janet was born April 11, 1942 as the third of seven children to Raymond and Jane (Hill) O'Loughlin and was raised in North Fond du Lac, WI. Her parents and brothers David and Daniel preceded her, and she is survived by her sisters Carol and Mary Jo, and her brothers James and Shawn. She is also survived by her children Kathryn, Frederick, Paul, John and Jane; and her grandchildren Cassandra, Charlotte, and Isabella.Janet met Frederick Merz on a blind date, and later they were married on May 5, 1962 in Fond du Lac, WI and lived there until late 1965, when they relocated to the Detroit Metropolitan area due to Fred's job assignment. They lived in Michigan until 1999 when they moved to Colorado Springs to live near their daughter Kathryn, son-in-law Alan, and granddaughter Cassandra Whitfield, and to fulfill a lifelong dream of living in view of the mountains in Colorado.Janet and Fred enjoyed taking their children on car trips, camping, swimming, picnicking, and sporting events. They encouraged their children to excel in sports and music. And to show her children it could be done, she went back to college and completed her B.S. in English with a minor in History in 1991 at Eastern Michigan University. Janet taught herself to play the guitar; her smooth alto voice was enjoyed by her friends and family as she played and sang folk songs. She was an avid seamstress. Janet enjoyed bowling and golfing with her husband and her friends. She was most known for her lightning wit and great sense of humor. Janet loved to laugh, and especially, to laugh with others. A visitation will be held from 5:00PM-7:00PM on Friday January 23rd at The Springs Funeral Services 3115 E. Platte Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80909. A Rosary will be recited at 7:00PM in the chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00PM on Saturday January 24th at Divine Redeemer Catholic Church 927 N. Logan Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80909. Memorials in her name may be made to the Kathryn Whitfield Memorial Fund at Security Services Federal Credit Union, 7025 Mesa Ridge Pkwy. Fountain, CO 80817, or through ssfcu.org.Psalm 121:1 "I lift mine eyes up into the hills, from whence comes my help…"Funeral Home:The Springs Funeral Services3115 East Platte AvenueColorado Springs, , COUS 80909 Events Visitation Friday, January 23, 2015 5:00PM - 7:00PM The Springs Funeral Services 3115 East Platte Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Phone: 719-207-8855 Visitation Friday, January 23, 2015 7:00PM The Springs Funeral Services 3115 East Platte Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Phone: 719-207-8855 Service Saturday, January 24, 2015 2:00PM Divine Redeemer Catholic Church 927 North Logan Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Phone: 719-633-5559