Barbara R. Ott

Barbara ‘Barb’ Rosalie (Plautz) Ott, 84, of Merrill, WI, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2026, at Aspirus Hospice House in Wausau.

Barb was born on August 15, 1941, at Holy Cross Hospital in Merrill, to Wilbert and Viola (Dorfschmidt) Plautz. She graduated from Merrill High School in 1959, where she earned her varsity letter in cheerleading. On October 15, 1960, she married the love of her life, Robert ‘Skip’ Ott, at St. Robert Bellarmine Church in Merrill. Together, they built a beautiful life centered around faith, family, friendship, and love.

Before marriage, Barb worked as a telephone operator. After starting a family, she devoted herself to being a loving stay-at-home mother to their five children. Once her children were grown, she worked at Snyder Drug Store and Dave’s County Market until her retirement.

Barb spent countless hours volunteering throughout the Merrill community. She volunteered at the Ascension Good Samaritan Hospital gift shop and also helped the patients by washing, setting, and brushing their hair, assisted at the Merrill Food Pantry, and faithfully served at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, including volunteering in the Adoration Chapel and selling Scrip.

Barb treasured time with her close friends, especially her beloved Bridge group, with whom she played for more than 50 years. She also enjoyed bowling with the Ladies Thursday Maids Day Off league, golfing with friends, feeding the birds, and cheering on the Green Bay Packers.

One of Barb’s favorite places was the family cottage on Big Bearskin Lake, where she and Skip spent more than 40 summers making memories with their children, grandchildren, and friends. She loved entertaining and took great pride in keeping a beautiful and spotless home, inside and out.

Barb found joy in life’s simple pleasures – casino trips with family, scratch-off tickets, reading, watching game shows, and trying new recipes from the Cooking Channel. No one dared to call her during “The Price is Right.” She especially loved attending her children’s, grandchildren’s, and great-grandchildren’s sporting events, dance recitals, concerts, and school activities, or listening to games on the radio when she couldn’t attend in person.

Barb had a bright smile that made everyone feel welcome. She was honest, loving, caring, and truly one of a kind. Her family adored her, and the time spent together created memories that will be cherished forever.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert ‘Skip’ Ott; her parents, Wilbert and Viola Plautz; her parents-in-law, Edward and Frances Ott; her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, James and Eleanor ‘Jo’ Ott, Patricia ‘Pat’ and Eugene ‘Gene’ Storm, and Lynn Plautz; nieces, Mary (Doering) Plamann and Pat Shilling; and nephews, James ‘Jim’ Ott and Patrick Plautz.

Barb is survived by her children, Steve Ott of Merrill, Jeff (Kim) Ott of Janesville, WI, Liz (Ott) VanDerGeest (Jeff Robinson) of Merrill, Bob (Becky) Ott of Merrill, and Bill Ott (Sara Schauf) of Sparta, WI. She is further survived by her grandchildren, Michael (Sarah) VanDerGeest, Kevin Watt, Melissa (Joe) Weckwerth, Jordan (Brian) Payne, Molly VanDerGeest (Adam Bever), Lauren Ott, Abby Ott, Layden Ott, Mia Ott, Madison Ott, Reese Ott, Tyson Ott, and Braylee Ott; six great-grandchildren, Liam, Essa, Mila, Noah, Rhyan, and Colter; her brother, Larry Plautz; and nieces and nephews.

The Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, May 30, 2026, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Bloomville. Father John Long will preside. Burial will take place in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery, Merrill. The visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M., Friday, May 29, 2026, at Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral & Cremation – 903 E. Third St., Merrill.

Donations in Barb’s name may be made to the Community Food Pantry of Merrill or St. Francis Xavier School.

Barb’s family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Aspirus Hospice House in Wausau for the care, compassion, and kindness shown to Barb and her family during this difficult time.

Barb’s love, laughter, and unwavering devotion to family will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral & Cremation of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.taylorstinewaid.com.