Obituaries
Bernette Bernice Steffenhagen
Jul 15, 2026
Bernette Bernice Steffenhagen, age 95, passed away peacefully in the Aspirus Merrill Emergency Room with family by her side on July 15, 2026. She was born February 26, 1931 to the late Erna (Waldow) and Bernard Barkow in Athens, Wi. She graduated from Athens High School. Bernette was married to Alvin Steffenhagen on September 1, 1956 at Trinity Lutheran Church...
Kelley Marie Heidemann
Jul 14, 2026
Kelley Marie Heidemann passed away on July 14, 2026, at the age of 67. Born on December 21, 1958, in Antigo, Wisconsin, to Harold and Pearl (Jensen) Boyle, Kelley was a true gem who will be dearly missed by her family and friends.
She married the love of her life, Timothy Heidemann, on May 7, 1993, at Our Saviours in Merrill,...
Mariah Rusch
Jul 13, 2026
Mariah Marie Hope Rusch, age 23, of Merrill, Wisconsin, passed away on July 13, 2026. She was born on August 1, 2002, in Wausau, Wisconsin, to her loving parents, Jason and Jennifer (Sturm) Lemmer.
A bright light in the lives of those who knew her, Mariah was a graduate of Merrill High School, where her creativity and passion began to shine....
Blake R. Mosher
Jul 13, 2026
On Monday, July 13, 2026, Blake R. Mosher, age 22, passed away unexpectedly, leaving his family and friends to mourn his loss. Blake was born on May 8, 2004, to Tim and Lorraine (Spinhirne) Mosher, in Antigo, WI. The family moved to Wyoming in 2011, and returned to Merrill in 2016, where he attended Merrill High School. Blake worked at...
Ronald Arthur Jaeger
Jul 11, 2026
Ronald Arthur Jaeger, age 86, of Merrill, passed away on July 11, 2026, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital in Wausau.
He was born on January 14, 1940, in Pine River, son of Wilbert and Bernice (Billerbeck) Jaeger. He married Rosalie Baumann on November 21, 1987, at Grace Baptist Church in Irma, WI – she preceded him in death in 2025.
Ronald worked as...
Sister Joelle Mauer
Jul 10, 2026
Sister Joelle Mauer, a Sister of Mercy of the Holy Cross, 94, died July 10, 2026, at Bell Tower Residence in Merrill, Wisconsin.
Helen (Sister Joelle) was born November 11, 1931, in Poniatowski, Wisconsin, to Joseph and Helen (Braun) Mauer. She entered Holy Cross Convent in Merrill, Wisconsin, on October 15, 1949, and professed her vows on June 19, 1951. Sister...
James Robert Henke
Jul 10, 2026
James Robert Henke, age 79, of Merrill, passed away on Friday, July 10, 2026, at his home.
He was born on July 8, 1947, in Wausau, son of Gilbert and Frances (Certano) Henke. He attended Copper River Schools from 1st to 8th grade and graduated from Merrill High School with the class of 1965. He enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving...
Kathleen M. Hale-Mundt
Jul 4, 2026
Kathleen Mary Hale-Mundt, passed away on July 4, 2026. Born on October 5, 1938, in Racine, Wisconsin, Kathleen was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, who touched the lives of everyone around her.
Kathleen, affectionately known for her love of flowers and spending time outdoors, found joy in watching the birds in her yard and creating a warm home atmosphere....
Warren M. Schmidt
Jul 2026
Warren M. Schmidt, born June 12, 1937, to Clarence and Erna (Oestreich) Schmidt and passed on to our Lord and Savior after a short courageous battle with cancer July, 2026.
Warren was confirmed in 1949 at Immanuel Lutheran Church. In 1955, he graduated from Merrill High School. He served active duty in the Wisconsin Army National Guard in 1961 during the...
Sister Mary Angela Sackmann
Jul 2, 2026
Sister Mary Angela Sackmann, a Sister of Mercy of the Holy Cross, 101, died July 2, 2026 at Bell Tower Residence in Merrill, Wisconsin.
Jeannette Sackmann was born May 15, 1925, in Medford, WI, to John and Elizabeth(Massoth) Sackmann. She entered Holy Cross Convent in Merrill, Wisconsin, September 14, 1946, and professed her vows on July 17, 1948. Sister was in...
Richard "Dick" T. Schmeltzer
Jun 29, 2026
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Richard "Dick" T. Schmeltzer, who left us on June 29, 2026, at the age of 82. Born on December 7, 1943, to the late Otto and Catherine (Chartrand) Schmeltzer, in Melrose Park, IL. The family eventually moved to Merrill, WI, where Dick attended and graduated from Merrill High School...
Dale LaVern Hoffman
Jun 24, 2026
Dale Hoffman, 87, of Merrill, Wisconsin, finished his earthly journey and walked into the arms of the Lord on June 24, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.
Dale was born in Spirit, Wisconsin on July 22, 1938, to LaVern and Erna (Brietzke) Hoffman. When he was 17 years old, he talked his mother into signing consent and he enlisted into the...
Richard 'Dick' L. Ashbrenner
Jun 22, 2026
Richard ‘Dick’ L. Ashbrenner, 82, of Merrill, passed away Monday, June 22, 2026, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill, surrounded by his family.
Dick was born December 6, 1943, in Merrill, son of Edward and Ruth (Morrison) Ashbrenner. He graduated from Merrill High School with the class of 1962. After graduation, Dick served his country in the Army National Guard. He...
Michael 'Mike' D. Stiver
Jun 19, 2026
Mike Stiver passed away peacefully at his home in Somerset, WI, on June 19, 2026, at the age of 70, after a final week of joy with his family. Mike was born in Merrill, Wisconsin, on May 21, 1956, and he lived in Merrill for most of his life, eventually meeting and marrying Amy Lemon.
For Mike, family wasn’t just a...
Janie M. Allen
Jun 18, 2026
Janie M. Allen, 65, of Merrill, passed away Thursday, June 18, 2026, at her home under the care of her family and hospice services.
Janie was born April 6, 1961, in Geneva, Illinois, daughter to Robert and Patsy (Graves) Hinterlong. She graduated from the former Batavia Senior High School in Illinois. She married David G. Allen on July 9, 1983, in...
Chris Dale Severt
Jun 14, 2026
Chris Dale Severt, was born on January 18, 1959, in Wausau, Wisconsin, to Donald and Lois Severt. He passed away on June 14, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of joy, creativity, and inspiration that will be fondly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Chris graduated from the Wisconsin School for the Deaf in Delavan, where he was...
Shawn Ardith Carlson
Jun 12, 2026
Shawn Ardith Carlson, a 74-yr old Michigan-UP “Yooper”, passed away on June 12, 2026. She was the youngest daughter of Edward and Dolly (Johnson) Carlson.
She enjoyed activities with her daughters, roller skating, making pasties or cornflake cookies, and watching da-Bears. She was a proud Grandma, bonding over long walks, singing silly songs, grabbing lunch, and supporting developmental programs.
Shawn was committed...
Ellanora Louise Bessey
Jun 10, 2026
Ellanora L. Bessey, age 99, of Merrill, passed away Wednesday, June 10, 2026.
Ellanora was born April 23, 1927, in the Town of Corning, daughter of Henry and Martha (Voigt) Kienbaum. She married John E. “Jack” Bessey on May 22, 1948, at St. Stephens United Church of Christ, Merrill. He preceded her in death on February 8, 1991, while residing in...
Darlene "Dolly" Mary Tanck
Jun 4, 2026
Darlene “Dolly” Mary Tanck, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away on June 4, 2026, at the age of 72. Born on January 21, 1954, in Merrill, Wisconsin, to Geno and Florence Bosi.
Dolly was the proud owner of Dolly's Daycare, where she dedicated herself to caring for children and babies from 1991 until her retirement in 2026. She...
Nancy A. Annen
Jun 2, 2026
Nancy Anne Annen of Sun Lakes, AZ passed away at Copper Creek Inn Memory Care on Tues June 2, 2026 after a 6-year battle with dementia. She was 86 years old. Nancy was born in Merrill, Wisconsin on July 27, 1939, the youngest of 5 children to Frank Sr. and Ester Robl. Ester passed away 9 months after Nancy’s birth....
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