NEKOOSA - Gail Sue Mertely, 51, of Nekoosa, died Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2008, at Riverview Hospital in Wisconsin Rapids.

Gail was born July 5, 1957, in Minneapolis, Minn., to Melford L. and Dorothy A. Ginter Galbraith. She graduated from Montello High School in 1975. She married her grade school sweetheart, Michael E. Mertely, on Sept. 17, 1983, in Montello. The couple made their home in Mount Horeb, where they started their family. In 1990, they moved to Adams County, where they owned and operated the Mike E. Mertely American Family Insurance Agency. Gail enjoyed gardening, fishing, family pontoon boat rides, and spending time with her family and friends. She was an amazing woman who was always there for others even during her courageous battle with cancer. She has touched many lives and will not be forgotten.

Gail was preceded in death by her father, Melford Galbraith; and her brother, Edgar Galbraith. She is survived by her husband, Mike Mertely of Nekoosa; son, Matt Mertely of Madison; daughter, Michelle Mertely of Missoula, Mont.; mother, Dorothy Galbraith of Montello; sisters, Kathy McReath of Montello, and Linda Cotter of Montello; brother, Mel Galbraith of Westfield; and friends, Judi Nigbor of Montello, and Bailey Smolarek of Madison.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Friendship. Father James P. McNamee will officiate. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of mass Saturday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Interment will be at a later date at the Montello Cemetery, Montello.

Roseberry's Funeral Home is assisting the family.