Marjorie Kerr

PORTAGE  --   Marjorie Kerr, age 95, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Friday, March 25, 2016.

Marjorie Florence Brandt was born on November 10, 1920, in Fennimore, the daughter of Emil C, and Leona M. Brandt (nee Scott). She grew up on her father’s dairy farm just outside Fennimore and was a graduate of Fennimore High School.  She attended Platteville State Teacher’s College (now UW-Platteville), and graduated with a degree in Physical Education from LaCrosse State Teacher’s College (now UW-LaCrosse), in 1943.

Marge moved to Portage in 1943 for her first teaching job, where she taught Phy Ed at Portage High School and later met her husband, Bob Kerr, after he returned from WWII service.  They were married on July 23, 1946.  She also taught a few years in Wisconsin Rapids while her husband was attending college in Steven’s Point.  After a couple more years in Waupun and Green Bay, she moved back to Portage with her family, eventually starting to teach again in 1961.  Over her 34 years of teaching, she also taught Phy Ed at the Portage Junior High, and Health in Portage Elementary Schools. 

She is survived by her children, Steven (Jacalyn Stetina) Kerr, Charles Kerr, and Kathy Kerr.  She is also survived by her grandchildren Rachel Kerr, Aaron Kerr, and Genevieve Kerr, along with her sister-in-law and many nieces and nephews.  Marge was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Robert W. Kerr, her sister, Betty (Jim) Smith, and her brother, Norbert (Mary) Brandt. 

A memorial celebration of Marge’s life will be held at 12:00 noon, on Saturday, April 2, 2016, at Portage Presbyterian Church, 120 W. Pleasant St, in Portage, with Rev. David Hankins officiating.  Private inurnment will be held in Silver Lake Cemetery.  Visitation will be held on Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be donated in Marge’s name to the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo at www.savingcranes.org or call 608-356-9462, extension 101.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the nurses and staff at AngelsGrace Hospice in Oconomowoc for their compassionate care of Mom during her last days.

The Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.