Marjorie Bertha Merzke

Jerry, Floyd, Helen, & Marge

Marjorie Bertha Merzke, the fifteenth child and last daughter was born at home at 181 Weaver Street on August 26, 1912.  She was baptized that same day. Her sponsors were Bertha Missel, Louisa Parr and Fred Birr. She was confirmed April 27, 1927.  Shortly after her father’s death, Marge married Jerome August Magin  on April 25, 1934  in Concordia Lutheran Church. They were attended by her twin brother, Floyd C. Merzke and Jerry’s sister, Helen Magin.

Marge and Jerry’s first home was the second floor of Maria and Henry’s home at 181 Weaver Street. They moved into their first house around 1942. It was at 102 Belmeade Road in Irondequoit, Monroe, New York.  Around 1950 Marge and Jerry moved their young family to a large home in Walworth, Wayne, New York. They lived in this house for many years and hosted many family gatherings including wonderful Merzke Family Christmas Parties complete with a visit from Santa Claus.  Later in life they had a home built in Marion, Wayne, New York.

Bob, Carol, Marge & Jerry

Marge worked for a while before she was married in the tailoring industry. Jerry worked for Eastman Kodak Company as an optical worker.  He was later employed by Westinghouse.  He also had his own sharpening business where he sharpened knives, lawnmower blades and other such equipment. Marge and Jerry utilized a portion of their home as a clean and cherry independent living facility for mentally challenged adults.

Marge and Jerry had three children; Carol Ann Magin was born September 22, 1941, Robert A. Magin, and Douglas Richard Magin (both still living).  Marge, the last survivor of Henry and Maria’s sixteen children, died October 20, 1994.  Jerry shortly followed her in death on December 30, 1994.  They are buried in Marian Cemetery, Marian, Wayne  County, New York.

Marjorie & Floyd - Twins

Floyd & Marge about age 6

Marge & Floyd about age 3

Marjorie and Floyd were Maria and Henry Merzke’s second set of twins and their last babies.  Marjorie was born first.  Floyd always said that he let her go first because he was a gentleman and believed in the saying, ladies first.  Floyd was the smaller and weaker of the two.  He was so weak when he was born that they were not sure he would live.  Maria and Henry had the minister in to baptize the babies on the day they were born - just in case.

Confirmation Picture

Easter 1944

Marjorie and Floyd were always good friends.  He said that sometimes she would get after him, but no one else better try it.  She always watched out for him and protected him.  They went to #22 School together where Floyd was in a special class that was called a Fresh Air Class.  He had to work hard to gain weight and would receive a certificate every time he gained five pounds.  His class took naps on cots on the roof of the school so they could take advantage of the fresh air.  After grade school, they went to East High School. They quit early to go to work in the tailoring industry, not unlike their brothers and sisters had done. 

Each was in the others wedding party when they married.  They visited each other frequently and exchanged birthday and Christmas gifts each year.  They shared a deep love of God and family and took pride in their Merzke heritage.  The last Merzke Family Reunion was held in August 1987.  It was marked by the celebration of Marge and Floyd’s 75^th birthday.  

Marge & Floyd at age 75

Erwin Lee Merzke

Erwin Lee Merzke, Sr.

Erwin Lee Merzke was the fourteenth child.  He was born at home at 181 Weaver St. on August 5, 1910.   He was baptized September 2, 1910 at Concordia Lutheran Church by Rev. Conrad.  Erwin’s sponsors were his uncle, Lewis Smarcz, his uncle Otto’s wife, Carolina Smarcz, and William Bonke.  He was confirmed at Concordia Lutheran Church in 1925.

  

Erwin, who was known as Erv, married Elizabeth (Liezetta) Bauer.  They lived at 136 Woodbury St., 48 Durnan St., 73 Wilkins St., 29 Bloomingdale St., and than moved to 12 Loomis St. where they lived for the rest of Erv’s life. Erv and Zetty had two sons.  Ronald Lee Merzke (living) and Erwin Lee Merzke, Jr,  born February 7, 1945.

   

Erv had various jobs in the early years.  He was a painter and a furnace repairman. He was eventually hired by the Eastman Kodak Company where he worked as a plumber.  He also worked as a plumber for Frank H. Schuth of 670 Winton Rd.   Erv loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed fishing.  He also enjoyed getting together with family and friends to play cards.

   

Erwin died on November 7, 1973.   Elizabeth died September 7, 1977.  Erwin and Elizabeth are buried in White Haven Memorial Cemetery, Rochester, New York.

Marian Anna Merzke

Marian Merzke Roegner

Marian Anna Merzke

Marian Anna Merzke, the thirteenth child, was born at home at 181 Weaver Street on December 30, 1908.  She was baptized February 6, 1909. Her sponsors were Albert Bonke, Anna Scheiderman and Anna Missel.  She married a widower, Walter William Roegner  on August 30, 1927  in Concordia Lutheran Church. They were attended by Marian’s brother, Erwin L. Merzke and Walt’s sister, Alma Roegner. Walt Roegner’s first wife was Clara Bertha Felgner.  They married on February 20, 1919. Clara died of tuberculosis December 27, 1919 at the age of 21 years, 3 months 29 days.

Walt and Marion’s first home was at 8 Theodore Street. They lived at 86 Weyl Street for a time. For many years they made their home at 34 Loomis Street.  They moved to 181 Durnan Street about 1952 and remained there for the rest of their lives.

Marian

Walt Roegner

Marian worked for some time as a box maker.  Her real job in life was being a homemaker.  She kept an immaculate house that even included curtains on the windows of the garage.  She had four sets of matching chair pads, tablecloths, and curtain tiebacks for the kitchen that she changed with the seasons.  She was an expert in the kitchen turning out such treats as pies, cookies, fruit breads and fudge.  She kept singing canaries, a collie named Kipper, and a beautiful garden.  Walt worked as a painter and paper hanger.  He was later employed by the Eastman Kodak Company.  Walt could build or repair anything.  He and Marian salvaged parts from broken things they found on their daily walks.  Everything was organized and kept on shelves lined with white shelf paper.  Even after Walt was too old to climb a ladder, friends would ask for his help.  He would supply the tools and the know how, supervising while they did the work.

Russel Roegner

Walt and Marian had a son.  Russell Walter Roegner was born September 28, 1929 in Rochester, NY.  Marian died March 2, 1969.  Walt died five years later on February 23, 1974.  They are buried in Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester New York.