Melania Anna Pape of Sauk City, age 103, passed away peacefully at Maplewood Nursing Home on February 11, 2015. She was born in Roxbury on July 30, 1911 to Oscar and Bertha (Breunig) Pulvermacher and was united in marriage to Louis Pape on January 16, 1934. The couple owned and operated Pape's Garage for 34 years.


Melania's life was filled with many blessings. She said the secret to a long and happy life could be found in faith and family, and that it also helps to sing, play cards and make memories. As a young woman, she played accordion and sang in a band called Melania and her Country Lads, entertaining many. Card parties with her daughters, granddaughters and special friends were a regular event with lots of laughter and fun.


She also enjoyed baking, cooking, crocheting, embroidering and gardening. Those of us who are fortunate to share her special touch for growing roses will tend the heirloom rose bushes handed down with love. All of us in her large and loving family will remember this remarkable and fun-loving woman who connects us one to another.


Melania was a member of Divine Mercy Parish, Council of Catholic Women, Catholic Knights, and a past member of the Catholic Daughters of America.


She is survived by five children, Ruth Scherwinski of Watertown, Richard (Judith) of Neshkoro, Howard (Sally) of Sauk City, Harold (Sue) of Sauk City and Jeanne (Tim) Taylor of Prairie du Sac; a brother-in-law, Elroy Podewils of Milwaukee; and two son-in-laws, Wilfred (Diane) Kuehn of Waunakee and Jerry Alt of Prairie du Sac. She was proud of her 41 grandchildren, 86 great-grandchildren and 20 great-great-grandchildren.


In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Louis (1994); son Arthur (1988); daughter Mildred Kuehn (2004); daughter Verna Alt (2014); grandson Jim Kuehn (1997); infant grandson Terry Pape; infant great-grandson Eric Sutter; four sisters Susan, Malinda, Estella and Imelda; five brothers Armin, Melchoir "Sam", Wendelin "Bud", Harold and Ernest; son-in-law Ervin Scherwinski (2012); and daughter-in-law, Mary Jo Bongard Pape (2008).


In loving memory the family would like to say...Around the dining table there will be an empty chair, the precious smile will be missing of someone we hold dear. And yet our hearts will be hopeful though the pain is bittersweet, because we know that one we love has filled another seat. For another banquet table abounds with joy and love for those who have made the journey to be with the Lord above. We will forever love and miss you.


A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. ALOYSIUS CATHOLIC CHURCH, Sauk City, at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2015. Burial will follow in St. Aloysius Cemetery. A visitation will be held at HOOVERSON FUNERAL HOME, Sauk City, from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 15, 2015 and also at the funeral home on Monday from 10:30 a.m. until 11:15 a.m.