Obituaries

Mar 8, 2018

Blossom Ann Strand, age 85, of the town of Scott, passed away on Thursday, March 8, 2018 at her residence in Merrill, WI.  She was surrounded by her family and loved ones under the care of Ascension At Home Hospice Care. Blossom was born on February 3, 1933 to John and Blossom (Leveille) Mischnick in Elmhurst, ILL.

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Mar 8, 2018

Norman F. Natzke, 93, passed on with his children at his side on Thursday, March 8, 2018.  Norman was born March 14, 1924 in Corning, WI to William and Elsie (Scheu) Natzke.  In his early years, his family ran a logging camp and later moved to a dairy farm.  He attended Immanuel Lutheran Church, where he was confirmed in faith...

Mar 6, 2018

Phyllis Ann Fehr, age 74, of Gleason, passed away Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. She was born September 10, 1943 in Gleason to the late Clarence and Julia (Basil) Zoellner. Phyllis and Larry Fehr were united in marriage on December 12, 1960 in Dubuque, Iowa. He survives.

Phyllis and Larry owned and...

Mar 4, 2018

Richard L. Hull, age 73, of Merrill, passed away on Sunday, March 4, 2018, at Woodland Court, Merrill, surrounded by his loving family. Richard was born December 3, 1944, in Merrill, son of Marcella (Kellner) Hull and the late Herman Hull. Richard graduated from Merrill Senior High School in 1963, where he participated in football and basketball. Richard had...

Mar 3, 2018

Sheri Lynn Kramer, age 32, of Wausau, beloved daughter of Timothy N. and Cami J. Kramer, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 3, 2018, after a courageous battle with long-term health issues.  She entered eternal life while being held by her mom and dad, who were by her side and while she was under the...

Mar 2, 2018

Keith E. Koehler, age 56, of Merrill, died unexpectedly on Friday, March 2, 2018 at his residence.  Keith was born on March 15, 1961 to the late Larry Koehler and Mercedes Wiess in Merrill.  He attended Merrill High School.  Keith met Sharon Lee, and the two exchanged marriage vows on June 15, 2007 in Merrill.  She survives.

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Mar 2, 2018

Derrick Fravert, age 36, of St. Paul, MN, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, March 2, 2018 at his residence in St. Paul, MN.  Derrick is the son of Frederic and Mary Fravert, and he was born on August 12, 1981 in Marshfield, WI.  His parents survive.  Derrick and his family moved to Merrill in 1987.

Derrick attended...

Feb 26, 2018

Helen Thistle, age 91, of Merrill, passed away on Monday, February 26, 2018 at Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill while under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services.  Helen was born on November 23, 1926 to the late Richard and Elizabeth (O’Connor) Hennessy in Excelsior, WI.  She met and fell in love with Glenn Thistle,...

Feb 24, 2018

Our hero, Charles Harvey Dittmar, 70, of Merrill, was reunited with his son, Timothy C. Dittmar at their home in Heaven, Saturday, February 24, 2018, with his loving family by his side at Saint Claire’s Hospital.

Charles, also known as Chuck, Charlie, or Papa, was born May 14, 1947 in Superior, Wisconsin, son of Harvey and Dorthy...

Feb 22, 2018

Paul M. Goetz, age 70, passed away unexpectedly on February 22, 2018, in Wausau. Paul was born April 12, 1947, in Merrill, the third of five children born to the late Dora Lydia (Edwards) and the late Adolph Albert Goetz. Paul was a graduate of Merrill Senior High School, U.W. Stevens Point, and Marquette University Law School, class of...

Feb 21, 2018

Bruce M. Giese, age 77, of Merrill, passed away on Wednesday, February 21, 2018, at Woodland Court Elder Services, while surrounded by his loving family and under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services.  Bruce was born to the late Kurt A. and Evelyn (Nugent) Giese on November 6, 1940 in Iron Mountain, WI.  He attended...

Feb 20, 2018

Arleen R. Gruetzmacher, 94, formerly of the Town of Pine River, passed away Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill. Arleen was born May 23, 1923 in the Town of Stettin, Marathon County, daughter of the late Dietrich and Martha (Tesch) Pagel. She married Clarence R. Gruetzmacher on May 18, 1946 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Town...

Feb 19, 2018

NAOMI B. BRAUN Naomi Braun (“Mac”) of Merrill, born Nov. 3, 1922 passed away peacefully at Bell Tower February 19, 2018. She WAS, and WILL ALWAYS BE, YOUNG AT HEART! She was preceded in death by her husband Dr. William E. Braun of Merrill, sister Lynne Reiger and sons Gary M. Braun and Peter F. Braun. Survivors include her...

Feb 19, 2018

Christine R. Polebitski, 69, of Merrill, passed away Monday, February 19, 2018 at the Aspirus Hospice House in Wausau. Christine was born March 11, 1948 in Rhinelander, daughter of the late Wayne and Norma (Johnson) Schellenger. She married Richard Polebitski on June 16, 1972, in Rhinelander. He survives. Christine was a graduate of Rhinelander High School and furthered her...

Feb 17, 2018

Roger W. Hulke, 88, of Merrill, went to his eternal home Saturday, February 17, 2018. He lived a long, blessed life. Roger was born January 25, 1930, in Merrill, to William and Agnes (Schmidtke) Hulke. He married Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Ristau on September 12, 1953 at St. John Lutheran Church, Merrill - a beautiful union that lasted 64 years. Roger...

Feb 16, 2018

Harlan H. LaPerriere, 73, of Merrill passed away Friday, February 16, 2018 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Harlan was born on May 12, 1944 in Sturgeon Bay, WI, son of the late Howard LaPerriere and Phyllis (Deates) LaPerriere. When Harlan was two years old, his mother married Harold Kretschmar, and together Phyllis and Harold raised Harlan. Harlan married Lorraine Kleinschmidt...

Feb 16, 2018

Harry ‘Hans’ R. Tritten, 80, of Merrill passed away Friday, February 16, 2018 at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill, under the care of his family, the nursing home staff and hospice services. Harry was born on April 24, 1937 in Wausau, son of the late Harry A. Tritten, Sr. and Marie (Kundo) Tritten. He married Ethel Dittmar on July...

Feb 12, 2018

Gordon “Gordy” E. Wiederhoeft, age 78, of Merrill, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 12, 2018 at his residence, just shy of his 79th birthday.  Gordy was born on February 13, 1939 to the late Edwin and Grace (Heise) Wiederhoeft in Merrill.  He attended school in Merrill and earned his GED through the Marines.  Gordy proudly served his country...

Feb 11, 2018

Wallace Schwartzman, 81, of Merrill, passed away on Sunday, February 11, 2018, surrounded by his family.

Wally was born on November 16, 1936, to Raymond and Sophie Schwartzman.  On December 21, 1963, he married Bonnie Hipke.

Wally served his country in the United States Army.  He was employed as a painter until he was hired...

Feb 9, 2018

Audrey L. Ek, of Merrill, passed away on Friday, February 9, 2018, at her home under the care of her family and hospice services. Audrey was born in Rhinelander, the daughter of the late Frank and Signy Peter. She married Woodrow L. Ek on April 5, 1952, in Rhinelander. He preceded her in death on March 12, 2015, in...