Anola Mae (Sersch) Pernsteiner, 82 of Medford, died peacefully at Golden Living Center in Abbotsford on Wednesday, May 6 surrounded by her loving family.
Visitation will be at Hemer Funeral Home (555 West Cedar St., Medford, WI 54451) on Monday, May 11th from 4-8 p.m (prayer at visitation from 4-4:15). Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 12th at 11 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church (215 South Washington Ave., Medford, WI 54451). A luncheon will follow at the church. Internment will be at a later date after cremation.
Anola was born September 25, 1932 to Arnold and Dorothy (Georgas) Sersch in Spencer, Wisconsin. She was the oldest of 11. Anola was a wonderful woman, graduating valedictorian from Spencer High School. After graduation, she moved to Milwaukee where she worked various jobs to help support her family. Her marriage to Gregory Pernsteiner took place at the Church of St. John in Marshfield, Wisconsin on November 6, 1954. They took over the family farm in Medford in 1956 – raising their 11 children there. In November 2014, they celebrated 60 years of marriage.
Anola, also known as ‘Weasie’ by many, adamantly loved reading, history, and watching Jeopardy. She also volunteered her time assisting adult learners with literacy. Personal joy came from reading – she was a mainstay at the Medford Public Library, oftentimes having new books reserved for her before they hit the shelves. She also instilled the importance of education in her children – all of them attained degrees.
Raising 11 children was not an easy task, but Anola embraced it and excelled at the challenge. She encouraged and unconditionally accepted her children for their individuality. Throughout her life, and up until her final months, she wanted to make sure her family was safe, happy and connected to each other.
Anyone who met Anola even once could tell she was a kind, giving woman who radiated love. She accepted everyone and always found the best in people. If someone needed anything, she would give it, no questions asked. And no one ever went hungry when visiting; she was a wonderful baker and cook, and there was always a pot of coffee on and the door was open.
Anola loved humor, even through adversity. One of her biggest gifts to the world was that she loved to laugh. Her smile and wonderful sense of humor was passed on to her children. She loved to make up clever words, sayings and songs, and was always whistling a tune.
Anola will be remembered for her love of peppermint candy, popcorn and O’Douls beer. She adored her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She loved live theater, the Medford Café, Olive Garden, and “Murder She Wrote”.
Even though Anola was challenged by serious health conditions, her long life can be attributed to her strong will to live and positive outlook.
She is survived by her loving family: husband, Gregory of Medford; children Barbara (Ed) Acker of Rib Lake, Karen (Daniel) Arrenholz of Bloomington, MN, Steven (Jennifer) Pernsteiner of Spring Valley, Mark (Gail) Pernsteiner of Medford, Christine (Jon) Olson of Medford, Kurt (Kathy) Pernsteiner of Oshkosh, Karla (Lonnie) Willaby of Hudson, Scott (Sharon) Pernsteiner of Eau Claire, Terry Pernsteiner of Fond du Lac, Michael (Aimee) Pernsteiner of Altoona, and Todd Pernsteiner of Minneapolis, MN. She also is survived by four siblings: Mary (Vince) Weber, Beverly (Bill) Welch, Judy Sersch, and Nancy Mathewson, 34 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, in-laws, five siblings and grandson (Caleb Arrenholz).
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that financial donations be made in Anola’s name to Medford Public Library, Abiding Care Pregnancy Resource Center, or the Holy Rosary School Student Tuition Assistance fund.
