Gail A. Kovar

Gail A. Kovar, 70, died Friday, June 27th after a brief illness.

Gail was born in 1954 in Black River Falls to Fern and Roger Ness, and spent her early life in Altoona, Wisconsin. Throughout her childhood, her family lived near the Kovars, and at age six, she met Mark, who would become her husband 21 years later in 1981.

During high school, Gail was an accomplished clarinet player, earning medals and band honors, including the prestigious John Philip Sousa Award.

After graduation, she pursued a degree in education, which she applied throughout her life in various roles as a substitute teacher and paraprofessional, most notably at Merrill High School while her children were students.

To know Gail was to know how she kept her husband, her three children, her two grandsons, and even her two cats at the center of her life. Her happiest moments were spent surrounded by family, and she never missed an opportunity to bring warmth, conversation, and joy to holidays, birthdays, and every day in between.

Some of her most cherished memories were made with her grandsons, Collin and Drew. She loved attending their school events, sports, and concerts, or simply having them over to the house.

Gail is survived by Mark, her husband of 44 years; her children, Kacie (Jonathan P.) Kovar, Ben (Amanda) Kovar, and Lindsey (James) Canny; her two grandsons; two sisters; and one brother. She was preceded in death by her parents, Fern and Roger.

Visitation hours will be from 10:00 am - 11:00 am on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral Home, 301 Eagle Drive, in Merrill, WI. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:30 am at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Merrill, WI. Father John Long will preside.

Gifts honoring Gail may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

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