Muriel "Mert" Walenski

On Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Mert Walenski passed away peacefully at home following a brief illness. At 91 years old, Mert was still living life to the fullest. She was funny, social, active, and never missed an opportunity for a quick-witted remark. Even during her hospital stay, when nurses asked how she was feeling, she would often reply, “With my fingers,” bringing laughter to everyone around her. She maintained her sense of humor and love of life until the very end.

Mert was born on March 9, 1935, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, to the late Adolph and Margaret (Swette) Nejedlo. Mert graduated from East High School and worked for many years as a bookkeeper for Prange's Business Interiors. She married Richard Jorgensen, and together they had three children: Julie, Jeff, and Jill. On October 2, 1987, Mert married Robert “Bob” Walenski, and they recently celebrated 39 years of adventures and laughs.

Mert and Bob shared a love of family, friendship, and good company. For 25 winters, they escaped the Wisconsin cold as “snowbirds” in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, alongside their dear friends Gary and Jean Hock. They treasured the friendships they made and looked forward to reuniting each year with their Bahamian Club family.

Back home in Wisconsin, their social calendar was rarely empty. After Mert and Bob moved to an apartment community in De Pere, they developed even more wonderful friendships and continued with their busy social life. Mert looked forward to Friday morning donuts, Wednesday night card games at the clubhouse, and neighborhood happy hours they affectionately called “Highway Hi-Balls.” In addition, they spent Tuesday afternoons playing cribbage at the De Pere Community Center, Friday night fish at The Moose, and breakfast at Denny's, where they were such regulars that the staff always made time to stop and chat. And then there was Christmas, Mert’s favorite holiday. She especially loved her Christmas tree and all of her ornaments, and in Mert’s eyes, there was always room for one more.

Mert was preceded in death by her parents; her children, Julie Jorgensen and Jeff Jorgensen; her brother, Keith (Jeanette) Nejedlo and nephew, Michael Nejedlo. She was also preceded in death by her parents-in-law, Martin and Elsie Walenski, and Bob’s siblings, Patricia (Armand) Wendricks, Judy Walenski, Wayne (Linda) Walenski, and Darlene Dashnier.

She is survived by her loving husband, Robert J. Walenski; her daughter, Jill (Andy) Hyer; her grandchildren: Sara Moran, Janelle (Mitch) Soco, Chad Beltz, Ally (Chris) Peters, Brandon Jorgensen, Bryan (Char) Jorgensen, Trevor Jorgensen, and Taylor Jorgensen; nieces, Lisa Rocque and Jeanne Nejedlo; nephew, Scott (Debby) Nejedlo; her stepchildren: Mike (Kathy) Walenski, Kenneth (April) Walenski, and Lisa (Mike) Kornowski; and her step-grandchildren: Jessica (Aaron) Lueck, Kurt Walenski, Mary Walenski, Alex Walenski, Kyle Kornowski, and Kevin (Megan) Kornowski. Mert was blessed with 17 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by Bob’s siblings: Richard Walenski, Floyd (Barbara) Walenski, Bernie (Ellen) Walenski, Donna Walenski; and their families.

The family would like to express a special thank you to the staff from Unity Hospice and Right at Home for their care and compassion.

Visitation will be held Sunday, November 8, 2026, from 10:00 am until noon with a service immediately following at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions, 340 S. Monroe Ave. Green Bay. She will be laid to rest at Allouez Catholic Cemetery.

To share a memory of Mert or leave a special message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.

Mert will be dearly missed by all.