Obituaries

Apr 26, 2022

Nancy English, age 92, of Merrill, passed away peacefully in her sleep on April 26th at Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill. She lived a full life, believed in Jesus as her Lord and Savior and loved her family with all her heart. Nancy was born October 5, 1929, in Rosendale, WI, daughter of Ansel and Elsie (Cobb) Atwater....

Apr 25, 2022

Marie A. Leopold, age 98, of Merrill, died Monday, April 25, 2022, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill. Marie was born November 14, 1923, in Merrill, daughter of the late Albert and Pauline (Tobalski) Strasser. She married William ‘Bill’ Leopold on September 16, 1944, in Merrill. He preceded her in death on September 19, 2013. Marie had worked at...

Apr 25, 2022

Alice D. Bacher, 100, of Merrill, died Monday, April 25, 2022, at Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill. Alice was born on May 17, 1921, in Hoffman, Illinois, daughter of the late William and Lydia (Rennegarbe) Fruend. She married Robert Bacher on March 29, 1938, in Merrill. He preceded her in death on July 2, 1977. Alice worked for...

Apr 25, 2022

Jason Michael Kleinschmidt, age 47 of Merrill, passed away on Monday April 25, 2022, after a courageous 5-year battle with cancer.  He was surrounded by his wife Tanya, his Children, Amber, Michael and Matthew and a house full of family.

Jason was born September 24, 1974, to Gene and Judy (Baguhn) in Merrill, WI.  When Jason was...

Apr 22, 2022

Marian M. Kottke was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend.  She passed away on April 22, 2022, at the age of 82 after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by a constant stream of loving family and friends. She was even blessed to enjoy her last Easter celebration surrounded by more than 70 family members.

Apr 16, 2022

Ruth A.E. Benson of Irma, Wisconsin, daughter of Ben and Dena (Krause) Hemmrich was born on January 24, 1926, in Colby, Wisconsin. She passed away on Saturday, April 16, 2022, in Merrill, Wisconsin.

She grew up in Price County and attended elementary school in Knox Mills, Wisconsin. She graduated from Prentice High School in 1943. During the...

Apr 12, 2022

Joyce A. (Hensen) St. Mary, age 87, passed away lovingly from the arms of her daughter, Jolene, into the arms of her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at the Aspirus Hospice House, Wausau, WI.  Joyce suffered from many separate chronic conditions over the course of many years.  She is now free from pain.  Joyce was born...

Apr 9, 2022

Debbie K. Bernhard, 58, of Merrill, passed away Saturday, April 9, 2022, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill. Debbie was born September 10, 1963, in Merrill, daughter of the late John and Ellen (Wegner) Neuwirth. She married Jay Bernhard on May 2, 1998. He survives. Debbie graduated from UW-Oshkosh with a degree in Psychology. She was employed for several...

Apr 9, 2022

Bette Jane Baumann, age 94, of Merrill, went to her Heavenly home on Saturday, April 9, 2022, at Rennes in Weston, WI, while under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services.  She was born on December 21, 1927, to the late Henry and Elsie (Neuman) Litke in Merrill.  She met Edwin Hahn and the two exchanged marriage...

Apr 8, 2022

Carol Jean (Krause) Ward, age 74, passed away on April 8, 2022. Carol was born in Merrill to Clarence and Grace (Sukow) Krause on August 2, 1947. She was received into God’s kingdom of grace through the waters of Holy Baptism at Trinity Lutheran Church, Merrill, on August 24, 1947, attended Trinity School, and was confirmed in 1961. She...

Apr 7, 2022

Daniel (Dan) Luther Klemp was born on July 29,1949, to the late William and Signe Klemp in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. He later moved with his family to Merrill, Wisconsin where he attended St. John Lutheran School and graduated from Merrill High School with a gold tassel. Dan spent his last years at Mount View Care Center in Wausau, Wisconsin....

Apr 6, 2022

Sally E. Hostvedt, 85, of Merrill, passed away Wednesday, April 6, 2022, at the Hospice House in Wausau. Sally was born September 9, 1936, in Appleton, Wisconsin. After graduating from Port Edwards High School, Sally continued her education at Valparaiso University. She married Donald Hostvedt on September 6, 1958, in Port Edwards, Wisconsin. He survives. Together, Sally and Don...

Apr 6, 2022

Darlene J. Graap, 75, formerly of the town of Harding, Lincoln County, passed away Wednesday, April 6, 2022, at Marshfield Medical Center – Weston. Darlene was born on September 8, 1946, in Wausau, daughter of the late Martin and Edna (Goetsch) Mootz. She graduated from Wausau West High School in 1964. Darlene married Donald Graap Sr. on February 19,...

Apr 5, 2022

Donald William Fechtner, age 86, died Tuesday, April 6, 2022 at home surrounded by family. Don was born on February 5, 1936 in Madison, WI to Irma (Zimpel) and Norman Fechtner. He was baptized, had his early education, and was confirmed at St. John’s Church in Merrill, WI. He graduated in 1954 from Merrill High School. In 1954 he...

Apr 4, 2022

Dale Jerome Rasmussen Dale (“Jerry”, “Riley”) Jerome Rasmussen 82, of Merrill, passed away on April 4, 2022, under the care of family, and hospice at Pine Crest Nursing Home (Special Care). Dale was born on August 27, 1939, in Green Bay, son of the late Charles and Georgia (Arnett) Rasmussen. Jerry grew up in the Pine River area of...

Apr 4, 2022

Marc E. Wood, 87, passed away Monday, April 4, 2022 at Pine Crest Nursing Home after an illness. He was comforted in his last days by his wife Jeannette (also a Pine Crest resident) and children.

Marc was born April 10, 1934 in Moline, Ill. He married Jeannette Young in 1955 and they raised four children together....

Apr 3, 2022

On the morning of April 3rd, 2022, Rick A. Osness passed away unexpectedly at his home. Rick was born to Carol (and the late Dale) Osness November 16, 1958, and was the eldest of their eight children. Rick was a sports enthusiast, athlete, and nicknamed Earl. He collected memorabilia from his favorite teams and organized a personal sports history...

Mar 31, 2022

Tyrone Michael Dingman, a resident of Marathon County, departed this life on Thursday, March 31st, 2022, at his home in Merrill. He was born April 7th, 1986, and in his 35 years he lived a life of good times with friends, and humorous memories with his family. He is survived by his Grandmother Helen Dingman; Mother Teddi Dingman-Ngare; Brothers...

Mar 29, 2022

Ruth Ferree Nesmith, 95, of Gleason, Wisconsin, formerly of Carmichaels, Pennsylvania, was received into Glory on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at her daughter's home in Gleason. Ruth was born February 6, 1927, in Nemacolin, Pennsylvania, daughter of the late George Reed Ferree and Emma Frances (Nedley) Ferree. Ruth graduated from the former Cumberland Township High School in 1946. She...

Mar 29, 2022

Norris O. Hattlestad of Merrill passed away Tuesday March 29, 2022, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill. Born on May 16, 1938, in Decorah, Iowa, he was the son of the late Nels and Winifred (Thompson) Hattlestad. He received numerous awards for his athletic achievements in football, wrestling, and baseball at Decorah High School and received athletic scholarships in...