Myrtle E. Lambert

Myrtle E. Lambert, 104 of Wausau and formerly of Waukesha, beloved wife of the late George A. Lambert, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on October 3, 2023 at Sylvan Crossings Assisted Living. 

Myrtle was born on August 10, 1919 in Antigo, WI. She was the youngest of four children born to Moses and Ella Cruger. During her childhood she lived in several rural, central Wisconsin communities since her father worked as a farmhand. She was raised and confirmed within the Lutheran church, and received Christ as her personal Savior at age 16. When she was 18, she moved to Chicago to be close to her brother, Howard, while he attended The Moody Bible Institute. During her time in Chicago she worked as a housekeeper and nanny. Upon her brother’s graduation she returned to Marion, Wisconsin where she worked as a waitress at the Marson Hotel. A frequent guest of the hotel, George Lambert, soon became the love of her life. They were married on April 28, 1946, and settled in Milwaukee. 

In the years that followed, Myrtle gave birth to four daughters, Edith, Donna, Linda, and Judith. In 1956, George and Myrtle built a home in Brookfield, WI. Shortly after moving to Brookfield they became members of the Westbrooke Wesleyan Church in Waukesha where they were very active. Myrtle taught Sunday School for many years and was in the choir. She was often asked to sing solos for church services because of her lovely voice. George was a gifted preacher and would fill in for various pastors in the Wesleyan district, and Myrtle and the girls would provide the special music. Much of their family life involved church activities. Myrtle was also involved in Child Evangelism Fellowship and would have “Good News Clubs” in her home so that neighborhood children could hear the gospel message of salvation. Many children, including one of her own daughters, put their trust in Christ alone through that ministry.

Myrtle loved working as an Avon Representative for over 12 years. She received numerous awards for good salesmanship. Another passion of hers was sewing. She made many gowns, dresses, and outfits for her daughters and herself. One of her proudest sewing pieces was the wedding gown she made for her daughter, Linda. Myrtle liked the outdoors, and would often hunt and fish with her husband. She shot a doe one year, and also caught a number of large fish. She didn’t turn down opportunities to fish up in Canada either! Myrtle and George enjoyed traveling and took several trips with the entire family and as a couple. The most memorable trip was to the Holy Land where she was baptized in the Jordan River.

When George retired in 1983 they sold their home in Brookfield and moved to a house on Lake Courte Oreilles in Stone Lake, WI. This home became a special place to build memories with their four grandchildren, Benjamin, Lindsay, Amanda and Andrew. 

Unfortunately, George passed away due to cancer on October 19th, 1992.  After George’s passing, Myrtle sold the home in Stone Lake and moved to an apartment in Wausau where she could be closer to her daughter Linda and three of her grandchildren. She became a member at Immanuel Baptist Church and developed many wonderful relationships with people there. Myrtle had profound impact and influence in the lives of her grandchildren. She was available at a moment’s notice, spoke words of kindness and grace to them, cared about their walks with Jesus, played with them, and faithfully prayed for them (as well as her own children and everyone else she knew!).

Myrtle moved to Waukesha, WI in 2004 and was able to spend more time with her daughters, Edie and Donna. Her daughter Judy who lived in El Paso, TX made frequent trips with her husband Dave to spend time with Myrtle. In 2017 Myrtle fell and broke her hip and was unable to live independently after that. She then decided to move back to Wausau so she could be close to some of her grandchildren and her three great-grandchildren. Her influence as a grandmother continued as she poured much love into her great-grandkids. She resided at Sylvan Crossings Assisted Living for nearly five years where she received wonderful care from staff as well as frequent visits from her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. In July 2020, she woke one morning with a sudden and profound hearing loss. In light of having lost most vision to macular degeneration, her hearing loss impacted her significantly. She never regained any hearing, but her disposition of cheerfulness and joy never waned. Complaints were rare and her love for others remained constant. She trusted the sufficiency of Christ and his plan for her life. She loved him and knew his great love and care for her. Her dying wish was that all her family and friends would know the beauty of the Savior and his free gift of salvation to all who believe in him. As she slipped from this life to the next on that beautiful October morning, she met her Savior face to face where she was fully healed and her faith became sight.

She is survived by four daughters: Edith Mueller, Donna Heusdens, Linda Michalski, and Judith (Dave) Chicka. She leaves four beloved grandchildren: Ben (Jessica) Chicka, Lindsay (Nick) Larson, Amanda (Thomas) Hardy, and Andrew Michalski. Myrtle leaves three great grandchildren: Jovie, Anders, and Ansel Larson in addition to numerous extended family and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, and three siblings: Arthur Cruger, Howard Cruger, and Irene LaMarre, in addition to two son-in-laws: Paul Mueller and Byron Heusdens.