Obituaries

Apr 4, 2018

Ellis David Wendt, age 69, passed away Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at Good Samaritan Health Center after a courageous battle with cancer. Ellis was born March 17, 1949 in Merrill, Wisconsin to the late Ellis and Arnetta (Kersten) Wendt. He and Diana Kleinschmidt were united in marriage on June 9, 1973 in Merrill. She survives.

Ellis graduated...

Apr 3, 2018

Katherine P. Lau, age 70, of Merrill, passed away at her home on Tuesday, April 3, 2018, under the care of her family and hospice services. Kathy was born April 24, 1947, in Antigo, daughter of the late Paul W. Mielke, Jr. and Dorothy (Hopp) Mielke. She married Raymond Lau on August 3, 1968, in Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church,...

Apr 3, 2018

Irene G. Ballas, age 85, passed away on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at Pine Crest Nursing Home.

Irene was born to the late George and Katherine (Kalafice) Papadakis in Merrill.  She received her teacher’s certificate, was married, and taught school in Tomahawk.  She devoted her life to her family and helped children in need as a Group...

Mar 31, 2018

David Young, age 56, of Merrill, passed away Saturday, March 31, 2018 at Hospice House in Wausau. He was born September 12, 1961 in Merrill to James Sr. and Mary Ann (Weisman) Young. On September 28, 2001, he and Christine (Mootz) Peck were united in marriage. She survives.

Dave worked many years in the production...

Mar 30, 2018

Dorothy Martha Emily Carlson, age 84, of Merrill, formerly of Homestead, WI, passed away on Friday, March 30, 2018 at Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill, while under the care of Ascension Home Care Hospice.  Dorothy was born on November 5, 1933 to the late Einar and Christine (Sjodin) Carlson in Hinsdale, IL.  She attended and graduated from Florence...

Mar 30, 2018

Carol M. Pluta, age 81, of Merrill, entered into eternal life on Friday, March 30, 2018, at the Aspirus Wausau Hospital.  Carol was born on July 17, 1936 to the late Thomas Q. and Evelyn R. (Prendergast) Ward in Chicago, IL.  She attended grade school at St. Bartholomew, and graduated from Foreman High School in Chicago, IL in 1954. ...

Mar 28, 2018

Janet J. Kluckman, age 74, of Fort Atkinson, formerly of Merrill, passed peacefully in her sleep at her cabin on Wednesday, March 28, 2018. She was born on October 1, 1943 in Merrill to the late Ralph and Gladys (Radloff) Kluckman.

Janet attended school in Merrill. She grew up on the family farm and loved being with...

Mar 28, 2018

James “Jim” E. Mitchell, age 81, of Irma, WI, went to his eternal resting home on Wednesday, March 28, 2018, at the Ministry St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield, WI, with his children by his side.  Jim was born on January 4, 1937 to the late George and Jay (Sackreiter) Mitchell in Ashland, WI.  He attended and graduated from Bayfield...

Mar 24, 2018

Theodore “Ted” Kolka, 77, Mosinee, passed away Saturday, March 24, 2018 at his winter home in Chandler, AZ surrounded by the love of family and friends.

Ted was born on April 5th, 1940 in Merrill to John and Ann (Tutt) Kolka. He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Helen (Duginski).  They were united in...

Mar 23, 2018

Obituary of Lisa Fischer (nee Berndt) Lisa Berndt Fischer passed away peacefully on March 23, 2018, in Dayton, KY, surrounded by family. She is survived by her husband, John Fischer; parents Arlo and Eunice Berndt; brothers Todd (Debbie) and Dean (Trina) Berndt; in-laws John and Sharon Fischer and Jennifer (John) Schroer; nieces and nephews Anneliese, Bryce, Tamber, Brittany Berndt,...

Mar 21, 2018

Delores M. Heise, 92, of Merrill, passed away Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at Bell Tower Residence, Merrill. Delores was born December 25, 1925 in Merrill, daughter of the late Myron and Emma (Howard) Combs. She graduated from Merrill High School in 1943. Delores married Gilbert Heise on April 29, 1944 in Merrill. He preceded her in death on July...

Mar 19, 2018

Suzette M. Winterfeldt, age 63, of Merrill, passed away on Monday, March 19, 2018, at Tomahawk Health Services. Suzette was born August 4, 1954, in Tomahawk, daughter of the late Willard and Ardena (Winchell) Hanson. She married Lee Winterfeldt on July 2, 1977. He preceded her in death on July 2, 2013. Suzette had been employed at Pine Crest...

Mar 19, 2018

Keith “Jim” VenRooy, age 85, passed away Monday, March 19, 2018 at Good Samaritan Health Center, Merrill. He was born October 22, 1932 in Colby to the late Norbert and Elva (Olson) VenRooy. On June 9, 1960, Keith and Frances Boland were united in marriage in Pine City, MN, a union that would last nearly 35 years. Sadly, she...

Mar 18, 2018

Marjorie “Margie” E. Rajek, age 88, of Merrill, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 18, 2018 at Woodland Court Elder Services in Merrill, while surrounded by her loving family and under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services.  Marjorie was born on January 5, 1930 to the late Ed and Florence (Guerin) Schielke in Merrill.  She grew...

Mar 13, 2018

Randal ‘Randy’ P. Bellin, 76, of Wausau, passed away Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Randal was born September 26, 1941 in Merrill, son of the late Walter and Margarite (Swope) Bellin. He married Judith Doering on August 3, 1963 in Merrill. She survives. Randy was a member of Wildwood Chapel United Methodist Church, Gleason. Randy worked...

Mar 12, 2018

Gary R. Messerschmidt, 60, passed away on Monday, March 12, 2018, at home from a heart attack.  Gary was born in Merrill, WI on April 10, 1957, the son of Ronald and Joyce (nee: Hill) Messerschmidt. He was preceded in death by his father on July 22, 2013.  Surviving are his mother Joyce, significant other Sally Severt, grandsons Landon...

Mar 10, 2018

Susan M. Klune, age 80, of Merrill, passed away on Saturday, March 10, 2018, at Bell Tower Residence, Merrill. Susan was born August 1, 1937, in Neenah, Wisconsin, daughter of the late John and Marvel (Pues) Pawelkiewicz. She married Edward J. Klune on February 9, 1957, in Clintonville, Wisconsin. He preceded her in death on June 11, 2016. Susan...

Mar 9, 2018

Carol M. Peterson, age 87, passed away peacefully at her home with family by her side on March 9, 2018. She was born August 4, 1930 in Park Falls, Wisconsin to the late Oscar and Agnes (Kundinger) Olson. On June 27, 1953, Carol married her high school sweetheart- the love of her life- Roman ‘Butch’ Peterson in Park...

Mar 8, 2018

Lucille L. Folta, 80, of Merrill, passed away Thursday, March 8, 2018 at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill. Lucille was born May 4, 1937 in Merrill, daughter of the late Mathias ‘Matt’ and Hilda (Klein) Beyer. She married Frank Folta on April 24, 1954 in Merrill. He preceded her in death on October 4, 2008. Lucille and her husband...

Mar 8, 2018

Helen A. Grawien, age 89, of Merrill, passed away on Thursday, March 8, 2018, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill. Helen Ann Borchardt was born October 1, 1928 in the Town of Berlin, the youngest of five children of the late Lena and Carl Borchardt. She was married to Milton Grawien on October 1, 1947, a marriage that lasted...