Meri Lynn DeGarmo

FITCHBURG - Meri Lynn DeGarmo, age 68, of Fitchburg, passed away at her home, peacefully and surrounded by family, on Monday, July 8, 2024.  

She was born on December 28, 1955, in Racine, WI to Jacob and Dorothy (Malmstadt) Schuppe. Meri graduated from Park High School in Racine with the class of 1974 and St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing in Racine in 1979. She married William DeGarmo and together they were blessed with two children. Meri started her registered nursing career working in pediatrics in Racine, and continued her compassionate care for kids as a pediatric nurse at Physician’s Plus after her family moved to the Madison area in 1991.  After 20 plus years working as a pediatric nurse, Meri took a different calling and worked at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church in Cross Plains for a few years. She ended her working career in the insurance field, where she once again strove to help people using her nursing skills. Throughout her career, she developed many wonderful, lasting friendships with so many of her colleagues along the way.

Meri’s innate desire to help others took her to Guatemala, South Africa, Moldova, Malawi, and Liberia on medical mission trips.  It was Malawi, Africa that truly captured her heart.  She was proud to have traveled with her kids on two of these trips.  Meri was a friend to everyone she met and gave a lot of love to everyone.  She loved the color red, gerbera daisies, comfort food and a good Thanksgiving meal, the smell of fresh cut grass, and the sound of rain. She enjoyed petting every dog she came across, coffee dates with friends, margaritas or old fashions in the backyard, music and musicals, family vacations at the beach or up north, Sunday Packer games, and so much more.  She was always crafty - crocheting dishcloths, beading bracelets, making baskets out of rope and fabric. If you needed a box and didn’t have the right size, she could make you one!  She also rocked rainbow-colored hair once a year just for fun, because why not?!

At the center of Meri’s world were her children and extended family, whom she loved with all her heart. One of her best, and most favorite roles was being YiaYia to her grandkids, Cora and Drew.  She loved them fiercely. She enjoyed being able to spoil the furry and human grands as much as possible.

Meri is survived by her daughter, Beth (Nathan Johnson) DeGarmo; son, David (Liz) DeGarmo; grandchildren, Cora and Drew DeGarmo; brother, Scott (Brenda) Schuppe and nephew, Jake (Elizabeth Frazier) Schuppe. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jacob and Dorothy, and her half-brother, David Wtipil. She has many pets waiting for her at the rainbow bridge - Big Emma, Little Emma, her granddog, Harper and grandcats Violet and Lana.  

Her family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to her amazing care team at Agrace, UW Health Carbone Cancer Center, and Turville Bay Radiology for all their support and compassionate care, specifically Brian James, RN from Agrace; Dr. Eric Marty and Dr. Robert Hageman from UW Health; and Dr. Michelle Mackay from SSM Health.

A beautiful, colorful, joyful celebration of life to honor Meri, who was a bright light in so many lives will be held at BADGER PRAIRIE PARK SHELTER, 4654 Maple Grove Drive, Verona, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 25, 2024. Light food, snacks and beverages will be provided.

In lieu of flowers Meri has requested donations be made to McKallies Home of Future and Hope (mckallieshome.org), a children’s village in Malawi that was very close to her heart. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Fitchburg
Funeral & Cremation Care
2950 Chapel Valley Road
(608) 442-5002