Neil 'Butch' Tesch

Neil B. ‘Butch’ Tesch, 78, of Merrill, passed away Monday, February 2, 2026, at his home under the care of his family and Interim Hospice.

Butch was born April 23, 1947, in Gleason, son of William and Alvina (Hintze) Tesch. He grew up on the family farm and learned many things as a child that he carried into adulthood. Butch married Sally Matthiae on June 17, 1967, in Gleason. He and Sally enjoyed polka dancing together. They also enjoyed fishing, camping, swimming, and riding side by sides and ATVs with the grandkids and great grandkids.

Butch worked for the Lincoln County Highway Department for 21 years. After retirement, he worked for the Town of Merrill plowing snow, mowing shoulders, and patching roads. Butch was a jack of all trades and enjoyed working on roofing and in mechanics. He helped everyone and loved being the ‘crew chief’ of his grandson, Zach’s, racing team.

Butch enjoyed hunting and fishing and looked forward to smoking the game he harvested and the fish he caught. He also enjoyed working in the woods. Butch looked forward to Friday night “Union Meetings” in his garage. He had a lead foot, a trait he passed down to some of his children and grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Sally Tesch of Merrill; daughters, Michele (Mike) Rahlf of Irma and Jenny Tesch (Dave Bienfang) of Merrill; grandchildren, Brandon (Amanda) Woller, Ashley (Zach) Boyd, and Zach (Chelsey) Degner; step grandchildren, Krystal (Greg) Thacker and Riley Bienfang (Tatiana); great grandchildren, Hailey, Corbin, and Luke; step great grandchildren, Sophia, Elizabeth, Abby, Noah, Oaklynn, and Olivia; sisters, Darlene (Floyd) Albright of Gleason and Janet Tesch of Merrill; brother, Alvin ‘Buck’ Tesch (Donna Woller) of Merrill; and sister-in-law, Susan Tesch of Gleason.

Butch was preceded in death by his parents, William and Alvina Tesch; and his siblings, Helen Tesch, Hazel (Franklin) Raatz, Carol (Emil) Rosenau, Ed (Lorraine) Tesch, Hilbert (Florence) Tesch, Florine (Stuart) Taylor, Harold (Phyllis) Tesch, and Gary ‘Chummy’ Tesch.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral & Cremation – 301 Eagle Dr., Merrill. Rev. Greg Laska will preside. The visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Monday, February 9, 2026, and after 9:00 A.M. Tuesday, February 10, 2026, all at the funeral home

Butch’s family would like to thank Kelly, Amanda, and Jill of Interim Hospice for their compassion and care.

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