Obituaries

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...

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...