Obituaries

Oct 29, 2024

Sister Anita Hirt from Reeseville, Wisconsin, a Sister of Mercy of the Holy Cross, age 100, has died October 29, 2024, at Bell Tower Residence Assisted Living in Merrill, Wisconsin.

Anita Marie Hirt was born June 11, 1924, in Reeseville, Wisconsin, to John and Margaret(Landua) Hirt. She entered Holy Cross Convent in Merrill, Wisconsin, on August 31, 1948, and professed her...

Oct 28, 2024

Amy Jo Reichert, age 50, passed away on Monday, October 28, 2024, at the Rib Lake Health Services facility, while under the care of Hope Hospice. Amy Jo was the daughter of Carol Reichert and was born in Merrill on November 7, 1973. She attended Merrill High School.

Amy Jo was the primary care giver for her mother, Carol, until she...

Oct 28, 2024

Paul Deron Kudick, age 58, of the town of Scott, passed away unexpectedly at home on Monday, October 28, 2024. He was born on May 20, 1966 to the late Ralph Kudick and Virginia Henrichs in Merrill. Paul attended and graduated from Merrill High School, which is where he met and fell in love with his high school sweetheart, Kathy...

Oct 25, 2024

Philip F. Krause, age 87, passed away Friday, October 25, 2024, at Woodland Court Elder Services in Merrill. He was born February 4, 1937, to Ferdinand and Verna (Malluege) Krause. He was baptized March 7, 1937, at St. Stephens United Church of Christ in Merrill where he was a lifelong member. 

Phil graduated from Merrill High School with the class of...

Oct 23, 2024

Kathleen Ann Maria (Spangler) Wegner (b. September 3rd, 1945 to Harold John Peter and Regina Sophia (Markofski) Spangler in Berlin, Wisconsin) and her loving husband Lee Gordon Wegner (b. February 19th, 1942 to Raymond and Darlene (Westrick) Wegner in Whitewater, Wisconsin) tragically passed on from this earthly life on Wednesday, October 23rd, 2024, near their home in Merrill, Wisconsin. They...

Oct 21, 2024

Beloved mother and grandmother, Margaret Bong, affectionately known as Marge, age 76, died on October 21, 2024 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Marge was born in Wausau, WI to the late Tony and Clara (McGrecki) Kryshak.

Marge was the heart of her home and family. She raised three children Ricky, Jodi, and Matt, in a happy and loving home to be independent...

Oct 21, 2024

Terrence Doering, age 75, died on October 21, 2024 at Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill, WI. Terrence was born in Merrill, WI to the late Loraine Kendall.

Terrence, known as Terry, was a graduate of Merrill High School and later graduated from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point with a bachelor’s degree in education. This would later foster his passion...

Oct 20, 2024

Carol (Seehafer) Duwe was born December 24, 1937, the daughter of Edward and Wilma (Calder) Seehafer. Carol passed away October 20, 2024. She married Gerald Duwe on May 7, 1960, at St. Stephens United Church of Christ, Merrill. He passed away November 14, 2023.

Carol was a 1955 graduate of Merrill High School. She attended the University...

Oct 17, 2024

Donna Mae Forster, age 85, died on October 17, 2024 at Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill, WI under the care of hospice. Donna was born in Merrill, WI to the late Hubert and Ruth (Baumann) Messerschmidt.

On May 29, 1961 she married Alvin Forster. He preceded her death in 2023.

Donna graduated from Trinity Lutheran School and Merrill High School.

Donna was...

Oct 13, 2024

Steven W. ‘Steve’ Hoefs, 66, of Merrill, passed away Sunday, October 13, 2024, at his home. 

Steve was born October 27, 1957, in Milwaukee, son of Gerald and Sheila (Fildes) Hoefs. He married Theresa ‘Teri’ Pelczynski on July 1, 1978. Steve served his country in the United States Army for eight years. He was stationed in Virginia, Germany, and Colorado. After...

Oct 10, 2024

William Herbert Cohrs passed peacefully to his heavenly home on October 10, 2024. He was born on January 2, 1939 in Merrill to Herbert and Irene (Boettcher) Cohrs. He attended St. John Lutheran School and graduated from Merrill High. William married Carolyn (Barney) on October 1, 1966. They recently celebrated 58 years of marriage. 

He joined the Army National Guard and...

Oct 8, 2024

Roy Timothy Thiel, 65, of Merrill, WI passed away at Marshfield Medical Center, Weston on October 8, 2024, with immediate family by his side.

Roy was born to Roy Henry and Jacquelyn Carol (Colling) Thiel on March 18, 1959, in Appleton, WI where he attended elementary school before moving to Merrill, WI. Roy graduated from Merrill High...

Oct 7, 2024

Clarence Leistikow Jr., age 82, of the town of Corning, passed away on Monday, October 7, 2024, at his home, while surrounded by his family and under the care of Compassus Hospice.

He was born on December 5, 1941, to the late Clarence and Minnie (Bartelt) Leistikow Sr. at the farmhouse in the town of...

Oct 5, 2024

Ron Schleif passed away unexpectedly and peacefully at home on his farm on October 5, 2024, at the age of 73 in Merrill, WI. Born on November 1st, 1950, the son of the late Theodore and Lila (Sense) Schleif. He attended Goettchel and brickyard one room school-house, and Pine River School. He graduated Merrill High School class of 68....

Oct 5, 2024

Dennis W. ‘Denny’ Ebner, 73, of Merrill, peacefully passed away at his home under the care of his loving daughters and Compassus Hospice on Saturday, October 5, 2024.

Denny was born January 15, 1951, in La Crosse, WI, the son of Walter ‘Walt’ and Patricia ‘Pat’ (Sutton) Ebner. Denny grew up in Wausau and graduated from Wausau...

Oct 4, 2024

JoAnn D. Vachavake, 87, of Merrill, passed away Friday, October 4, 2024, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill.

JoAnn was born October 31, 1936, in Merrill, daughter of the late Hattie (Skofronek) and George Ament Jr. She married Ronald Vachavake on June 2, 1956, in Merrill. He survives. JoAnn was a member of St. Stephens United Church...

Oct 2, 2024

Nancy Ann Priebe, age 75, was welcomed into her heavenly home on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, while residing at Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill. She was born and raised in Merrill and was the daughter of the late Melvin (Roy) Nelson & June (Severt) Nelson Downing. Nancy attended and graduated with the class of 1967 from Merrill High School....

Sep 29, 2024

Donald “Don” Anthony Kaminski, age 90, of Merrill, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 29, 2024, while at Woodland Court Elder Services in Merrill, and under the care of Compassus Hospice Care. He was born on June 22, 1934 to the late Leo and Margaret (Ewertowski) Kaminski in Chicago, IL. Don attended and graduated from high school in Chicago, IL....

Sep 27, 2024

Herman F. Zunker Jr., age 88, of Merrill, passed away on Friday, September 27, 2024, at the Aspirus Wausau Hospital, after many courageous battles with cancer. He was born on February 8, 1936, to the late Herman and Wilma (Winkert) Zunker Sr. in Wausau, WI. Herm attended and graduated from Wausau High School, before entering the United States Army, where...

Sep 19, 2024

Judith A. Seehafer, 83, of Merrill, passed away Thursday, September 19, 2024, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill.

Judy was born March 25, 1941, in Wausau. She married David Seehafer in May of 1961. He preceded her in death on September 14, 2023. Judy worked in housekeeping at Wausau Insurance. Judy enjoyed reading, spending time outside, and...