"Minnie" Pearl Sabatke

“Minnie” Pearl Alma Eleanor Sabatke, age 85, passed on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill. Pearl was born on February 4, 1939 and was the daughter to the late Arthur and Elfrieda (Lambrecht) Porath in Wausau, Wisconsin. Pearl married the love of her life, Leslie Sabatke on June 16, 1956, they enjoyed nearly 65 beautiful years together before his passing in 2021.

Pearl worked in House Keeping for Merrill Medical, cleaning the doctors’ offices and their homes, Eagle’s Club, Pine Crest and the VFW in Merrill. She also worked at Tiny Tot in Merrill in her younger days.

Pearl was involved with Merrill Forward Together, Ladies Aide (Women’s Guild) at St. Stephens Church, Eagles Club, VFW Aux., Church Choir, and Clover Leaf Homemakers of Corning.

She proudly joined the Eagles Auxiliary #584 in 1977, where she held several different positions and was President of the Auxiliary for a few different terms. She was State Eagles President from 2004 to 2005, Great Lakes Regional Eagles President from 2008 to 2009 and was inducted into the State Eagles Hall of Fame in 2008. She was also a life member of the VFW since 1996. Of her many achievements, her more recent one was earning her GED in 2014.

Pearl enjoyed her flower garden, baking and watching the grandkids events and sports. While at Pine Crest, Pearl played bingo, she learned how to play Bunko, she sang with Elvis and got into Karaoke. She also joined the Choir and Bell Choir there. But her favorite time was happy hour where she was able to enjoy her strong soda on the rocks.  

“Minnie” Pearl was a witty, good-natured and warmhearted woman. She will truly be missed by all those who knew her.

Pearl is survived by her children: Gerald (Patti) Sabatke, Linda (Marty Malzahn) Sabatke, and Craig (Crystal) Sabatke, grandchildren: Andrew (Pamela) Sabatke, Adam (Jackie) Sabatke, Breyden (Shellby Walters) Sabatke, and Bryce Sabatke, great-grandchildren: Drew, Noah, Owen, Ella, Leslie, Corey, and Isabelle Sabatke, siblings: Shirley Olkives and Robert (Bernice) Porath, siblings-in-law, Laverne (Diana) Sabatke, Larry (Lois) Sabatke, and MaryAnn Forster, and good friend and roommate: Florence Schaupp along with many nieces and nephews, some of whom were her favorites, but don’t tell anyone else.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband: Leslie Sabatke, son: Rodney Sabatke, siblings: Otto (Selma) Porath, Lavilla (Albert) Steckling, Grace (Arnold) Raddatz, Lorraine (Victor) Raddatz, Charlotte (Roman) Labarge, Ronald (Phyllis and Veronica) Porath, and Melvin (Pat) Porath, siblings-in-law: Clifford Sabatke, Jack (Ginny) Sabatke, Bernice (Lylas) Berndt, Phyllis (Ray) Schlueter, Don Forster and Allan Olkives.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at 11:30 am at St. Stephen’s United Church of Christ in Merrill. Pastor Michael Southcombe will officiate. A visitation will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2024 from 9:00 am until the time of service also at the church, with a State Eagles memorial service starting at 11:00 am.

For those unable to attend, the service will be live streamed and available for viewing under her obituary on the funeral home website.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in loving memory of Pearl to St. Stephen’s UCC, Eagles Auxiliary 584, and/or to the Pine Crest Nursing Home Activities. 

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the staff at Pine Crest Nursing Home and Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice for all the love and excellent care they showed Pearl. The family would also like to thank Waid Funeral Home for all their support, care and planning of mom’s funeral.

Waid Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.