Mercedes "Merc" Messinger, 98, of De Pere, went home to be with Our Lord and Savior early Tuesday morning February 25, 2014 at a local nursing home. The daughter of the late Barney and Alma (Deering) Christensen, Merc was born on July 18, 1915 in rural Brown County. Merc graduated from West High School, Class of 1933. She married Clarence "Poot" Messinger on June 5, 1937 in Green Bay. They were married 68 years when he preceded her in death on August 14, 2005. She was employed at Fort Howard Paper Company for 44 years, retiring in 1977. She is survived by her brother, Delbert (Barney) Christensen, and his family, a special niece and her husband, Linda and Tom Streifender, sister-in-law, Mary (Butch) Knuth, a special friend, Katie Stafford, and a very special goddaughter, Teri Vigue. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother, Vilroy (Beatrice) Christensen, and one sister-in-law, Lucille Christensen. Family and Friends may call at RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 305 North Tenth Street, De Pere from 3:00 to 4:30 pm on Thursday February 27, 2014 (TODAY). A Memorial Service will be held at the funeral home at 4:30 pm on Thursday with Pastor Cheryl Weaver and Pastor Pat Green, officiating. Entombment at the Shrine of the Good Shepherd Mausoleum will be held at 2:30 pm on Friday. Please visit www.ryanfh.com to send online condolences to the family. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be given to Bethany United Methodist Church. Once again, Ryan Funeral Home has been given the privilege of handling the arrangements. They have assisted both the Christensen and Messinger families since 1958. The family would like to send a special thank you to Renaissance Assisted Living and Rennes Nursing Home for their care and kindness these past four years to Merc. Thank you most sincerely.