Collette F. Wertel, 93 of Green Bay, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 5, 2021, at Allouez Sunrise Village, after being a resident there for 15 months. She was born in the town of Humboldt on July 14, 1927 to the late Antone and Josephine (Cleereman) Allen. On September 14, 1948 she was united in marriage to Lawrence P. Wertel at St. Mary’s Church in Humboldt. He preceded her in death on February 10, 1983. Through the years, Collette was employed at St. Vincent Hospital, the YMCA, and Bornemann Nursing Home.
Her entire life was centered around her involvement in and dedication to the Catholic faith. She was a part of the Catholic Knights Society Branch 21 since she was a teenager. She was a religious education teacher for many years and an avid supporter, participant, and contributor to the Catholic Church, especially Saints Peter and Paul, volunteering for gourmet meals with Deacon Mike, cleaning the church, and helping with funeral dinners throughout the years. She also liked reading, listening to music, singing, dancing, swimming, brisk walking to and from Church, cooking, and baking, being particularly known for her lemon meringue pie. She loved being outside whether it be digging in the flower garden or tinkering around the yard. Collette loved traveling and taking sight-seeing tours with her close friends and parishioners from Sts. Peter and Paul, which included performances of many country western stars. However, seeing Elvis Presley and Tom Jones when they performed locally was something she talked about for years.
Survivors include one son, Lee (Bonnie) Wertel of Green Bay, one daughter, Julaine (Ron) Vercimak of Oneida, three grandchildren, one step-grandson, four great grandsons, one step-great granddaughter, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Collette was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Cynthia Wertel; one granddaughter, Connie Walker; one step-granddaughter, Dawn Travis; her parents; four brothers, Henry (Hilda) Allen, Alvin (Alice) Allen, Sylvester (Grace) Allen and Bernard (Millie) Allen; five sisters, Elsie (Richard) Finnel, Myrtle (Allen) Kuchenbecker, Alice (Henry) Tilkens, Mabel (Ralph) Goral and Geraldine (Lawrence) Vandenhouten; step mother, Alice Brunner and many other step-brothers and step-sisters.
A mass of Christian burial for Collette will be at 11:00 AM on Monday, June 14, 2021 at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church (710 N Baird St). Fr. Jose Lopez will be the officiant. Visitation will be held at Malcore Funeral Homes-East on Sunday evening, June 13, 2021 from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM and again on Monday morning at church from 10:00 AM until the time of service. Collette will be laid to rest at the Nicolet Memorial Park- Good Shepherd Mausoleum.
Collette’s family wishes to extend an extremely heartfelt thank you to Allouez Sunrise Village, (especially Joy) and to Unity Hospice for the exceptional care and support they provided (especially Christy).