Merle Pergande Jr., 68, of Platteville, WI formerly of Kieler, WI passed away on Wednesday, July 5, 2017 at ManorCare Nursing Home in Platteville, WI. Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 8th at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Dubuque, IA with Pastor Jon Crawford officiating. Burial will be in the Immaculate Conception Church Cemetery in Kieler, WI. Friends may call on Saturday, July 8th from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Dubuque, IA. The Haudenshield Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Cuba City, WI is serving the family.

Merle was born on September 20, 1948 at home to Merle Sr. & Helen (Schaefer) Pergande in Norwalk, WI. He worked at Kowalski & Kieler before working at Apex Concrete in Dubuque, IA. He also worked hauling milk for Warren Cheese Plant in Warren, IL and for Wisconsin Dairies in Lancaster, WI. Merle married Elizabeth Kulas on March 4, 1972. He was an avid race fan and loved working on race cars, especially with his son Kenny. He also enjoyed watching races at local race tracks, especially his nephew Dennis Pergande and his nieces' husband Tom Pluemer, along with Darren Mish, Jeff Valentine, Brian Birkofer & T.J. Leslein. Merle was an avid hunter, fisherman, but he really enjoyed the company of his dogs, Cubby, Digger, Pinky and Icky. He will be sadly missed and remembered fondly by all who knew and loved him.

Merle is survived by a son, Kenny Pergande of Dubuque, IA; 3 brothers: Dick of Hazel Green, WI, Dan & Ronald both of Dubuque, IA; 2 sisters: Eileen White of Potosi and Judy Johnson of Dubuque, IA; a sister-in-law: Mary Kulas of Dubuque, IA and a special boy, Cole Dilley; along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Elizabeth (March 27, 2004); a brother, Herman Pergande Sr.; a sister, Deb Wallace; a sister-in-law, Sue Pergande; 2 nephews: Shawn & Timmy Pergande and a niece Tammy Roth.

In lieu of plants & flowers a Merle Pergande Jr. Memorial Fund has been established.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of St. Croix Hospice for the care and kindness given to Merle.