Carol J. Osness

Carol Jean Osness, 86, of Merrill, passed away Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Aspirus Merrill Hospital surrounded by her family.

Carol was born September 2, 1939, in Lincoln County, WI to Floyd and Selma (Mittlesteadt) Zortman. Carol attended Trinity Lutheran School for eight years and Merrill High School.

In 1956, Carol married the only love in her life, Allen K. Osness. They were married 55 years. Allen passed away on November 19, 2011.

Carol has been a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Merrill all her married life. She taught Sunday School while her children were growing. In 1963, she was a member of the church council, serving as secretary. At that time, she was involved with the building of the existing church on Third and Logan Streets.

Carol worked at various jobs in Merrill. Carol worked as a C.N.A. at the former Holy Cross Convent, Merrill, for over ten years. She then worked at Hurd Millwork in Merrill for many years.

She enjoyed snowmobiling and riding her three motorcycles. In later years, she enjoyed her four-wheeler, her garden, flowers and large yard.

She loved all her family pets - especially her four Doberman dogs whom she enjoyed taking walks with. Her last years were spent with three cats, whom she loved dearly.

Carol’s greatest pleasure in life was her three children, her ten grandchildren and their spouses, and her great grandchildren. Absolutely nothing meant more to her than family. Carol always said, ‘They are my reason for living.”

Carol was co-captain for the ‘Park City Credit Union’ Relay for Life team for nine years. Their team raised more in one year than any team ever in Merrill.

Carol’s best and most important achievement in her life was to marry Al, have our three children, and a houseful of grandkids – “my absolute reason for living.”

Survivors include one daughter, Sue Osness (Mike Tooley) of Black River Falls; two sons, Allen (Julie) Osness, Jr. of Irma and Gary (Bonnie) Osness of Harrison Hills; sister, Bonnie (Gordon) Wiesmann of Merrill; sister-in-law, Nona Zortman of Merrill; brother-in-law, Dale Zuelsdorff; and in-laws, Phyllis Buch, Janet Beyer-Thums, Elaine (Richard) Ollmann, Betty Latzig, and Carol Osness all of Merrill, and Darlene Osness of Wausau.

She is further survived by her grandchildren, Lisa Lemon (Rich Bridenhagen) of De Pere, Laura (Jason) Reinders of Emmetsburg, IA, Mike (Emily) Osness of Merrill, Lana (Bill) Plant of Elkhorn, WI, Tim Osness of Merrill, Leah (David) Reist of Merrill, Lacy (Jeremy) Zimmerman of Baraboo, Dan (Courtney) Osness of Merrill, Justin (Laura) Osness of Madison, and Ben (Imogen) Osness of Wausau; and great grandchildren, Hannah, Andrew, Bailey, Cole, Jayden, Billy, Cayden, Jesse, Lucas, Jack, Miranda, Christian, Landon, Zoey, Carter, Anna, and Paxton.

Carol was preceded in death by her husband, Allen K. Osness, Sr.; parents, Floyd and Selma Zortman; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Oscar and Lucinda Osness; sister, Patricia ‘Pat’ Zuelsdorff; brother, William ‘Bill’ Zortman; special nieces, Marie Wiesmann, Jody Zuelsdorff, and Amy Tomczik; and several in-laws. 

The Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Friday, April 24, 2026, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Merrill. Rev. Justin Smoot will officiate. The family will receive friends beginning at 9:00 A.M. Friday at the church. Inurnment will take place at a later date in Merrill Memorial Park Cemetery.

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

Miss Me But Let Me Go by Christina Rossetti

When I come to the end of the road, And the sun has set for me. I want no rites in a gloom-filled room, Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little - but not too long And not with your head bowed low. Remember the love that we once shared, Miss me but let me go.

For this is a journey that we all must take, And each must go alone. It's all a part of the Master's plan, A step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick of heart, Go to the friends we know And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds.

Miss me but let me go.