Mariah Rusch

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. She furthered her education by earning an Associate's Degree in Marketing from Northcentral Technical College in Wausau, allowing her to cultivate her talents as a Digital Marketing Specialist and Photographer.

Mariah (Mira) was a beautiful, loving, creative, thoughtful, supportive lover of life. She loved capturing beautiful moments for her clients. She also loved traveling with her husband to see new places, the mountains were her favorite.

She loved reading, writing, drawing, her work, her family, and her dog Oslo. Her husband Brandon was the love of her life and completed her in every way.

She started to have a love of gardening, raising her five chickens, and loved her peaceful life.

She was a coffee connoisseur and enjoyed making coffee for others at Ana Blair’s and recently at the Pickle Jar. Making many friends along the way.

ML Creative was her dream job, and starting this job was one of her most exciting adventures. She traveled to multiple states making beautiful memories for many people.

Mariah was loved by everyone she met. She left this life way too soon and will be dearly missed.

Survivors include her husband, Brandon Rusch of Merrill; parents, Jason and Jennifer Lemmer of Merrill; in-law, Marcel and Jamie Rusch of Gleason; brothers, Cody Lemmer (Allison Palecek) of Merrill and Caden Lemmer of Merrill; paternal grandparents, Jan Lemmer of Merrill and Mike (Cindy) Lemmer of Petersburg, TN; sister-in-law, Jerzie Rusch (Mason Thomaschefsky) of Gleason; and brother-in-law, Jaden Rusch (fiancée Bailey) of Weston. Further surviving are aunts and uncles, Jason (Terri) Sturm of Wausau, Jamie (Chad) Mathwich of Little Chicago, Jeremy (Katie) Sturm of Wausau, Jamie (Kent) Bronsteatter of Merrill, and Jenny Lemmer (Pam) of Cleveland, OH; many cousins including her lifelong best friend, Hailey Mathwich; and her special friends, Olivia and Mackenah ‘Mack’. Mariah was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Mark and Patricia Sturm.

A celebration of Mariah’s life will be held on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at the Corning Town Hall. Friends may gather from 1:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M.

Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral & Cremation, Merrill, is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinewaid.com