Obituaries

Aug 27, 2017

Jean E. Rice, age 81, of Merrill, passed away on Sunday, August 27, 2017, at her home, under the care of her loving family and hospice services. Jean was born September 2, 1935, in Merrill, daughter of the late Hubert and Lavine (Brandenburg) Krueger. She married Gerald ‘Jerry’ Rice on December 4, 1954 in Merrill. He preceded her in...

Aug 23, 2017

Denis N. Harder, age 80, of Merrill, died Wednesday, August 23, 2017, at Pine Crest Nursing Home. Denis was born March 7, 1937, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, son of the late Walter and Aleda (Plant) Harder. Denis had worked at Weinbrenner Shoe Company, Merrill. Denis enjoyed watching wrestling on TV, fishing for hours off the dock, and was an avid...

Aug 21, 2017

Bernice ‘Bo’ Frazier passed away peacefully at Atrium Health Care in Weston after an epic 12 year fight with Alzheimer’s, on Monday, August 21, 2017. She was 88 years old. Bernice was born August 27, 1928, in Oshkosh, the only child of the late Frank and Florence (Rucks) Schneider. She married Thomas Frazier on September 17, 1949, in Merrill....

Aug 19, 2017

Laurel L. Streich, 60, of Merrill, passed away Saturday, August 19, 2017 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Laurel was born August 12, 1957 in Merrill, daughter of the late Thomas and Laurice (Severt) Schwartzman. She married Kelly Streich on June 29, 1985. He survives. Laurel had worked for 20 years at the former Pine Ridge Restaurant in Merrill. In 1994,...

Aug 19, 2017

Betty Lou Forster, age 79, of Marathon, formerly of Merrill, passed away Saturday, August 19, 2017 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. She was born September 19, 1937 in Merrill to the late Alfred and Susie (Miller) Chilsen. On July 24, 1954, Betty and Earl Forster were united in marriage in Merrill, a union that would last 55 years. He...

Aug 19, 2017

Catherine Duginski, age 88, of Nekoosa, Wisconsin, passed away Saturday, August 19, 2017. She was born on July 28, 1930 in Rhinelander to the late Jesse and Angeline (Dumpprope) Brown. Catherine and John Duginski were united in marriage on July 28, 1948. He preceded her in death on August 3, 1977.

Catherine worked various jobs throughout the...

Aug 18, 2017

Carlos L. Berndt, 94, of the Town of Corning, Lincoln County, passed away Friday, August 18, 2017 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Carlos was born August 25, 1922, in the Town of Corning, son of the late Emil and Esther (Henrichs) Berndt. On May 12, 1945, he married the former Dorothy Barz at Trinity Lutheran Church, Merrill. Rev. William Kohn...

Aug 17, 2017

Ronald “Ron” L. Turner, age 52, of Merrill, passed away after a brief struggle with cancer on August 17, 2017 at the Aspirus Hospital in Wausau, with his loving wife, Christine, by his side.  Ron was born on June 28, 1965 to Robert L. and Patricia (Retzlaff) Turner in Wisconsin Rapids, WI.  He attended and graduated from Merrill High...

Aug 13, 2017

Constance “Connie” Swanson, age 94, of Merrill, passed away Sunday, August 13, 2017 at her home under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice. She was born September 13, 1922 in Holland City, Michigan to the late Paul and Emma Neumann. On May 11, 1940, Connie and Earl Swanson were united in marriage at St. Stephen’s UCC...

Aug 6, 2017

Garry A. Olson, 61, of Gleason, passed away Sunday, August 6, 2017 at Marshfield Medical Center in Marshfield. Garry was born January 15, 1956, in Merrill, son of the late Walter and Janice (Baumbach) Olson. He married Mary Garihee on June 20, 1981. She survives. Garry had worked at Weinbrenner Shoe Company in Merrill for over 37 years. He...

Aug 5, 2017

Debra “Debbie” Brandt, age 59, of Cecil, formally of Merrill, passed away on August 5, 2017, in Merrill, while surrounded by her loving family and under the care of Aspirus  Comfort Care & Hospice.  Debbie was born on March 18, 1958 to the late Werner and Rosetta (Drew) Roggenbuck in Merrill, WI.  She attended and graduated from Merrill High...

Aug 3, 2017

It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my mother, Elsa M. Higgins, age 87, on August 3, 2017 at Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill, WI while under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services. She was born March 2, 1930 in Chicago, IL to the late Erick Thorston and Helga (Bouquist) Sundell....

Aug 1, 2017

Karen K. Graap, age 62, of rural Merrill, died Tuesday, August 1, 2017, at her home, of natural causes. Karen was born July 6, 1955, in Merrill, daughter of the late Paul and Leona Graap. Karen had been a waitress at the Eagle’s Club in Merrill, and was also employed at Bell Tower Residence, Merrill, for 28 years. Karen...

Aug 1, 2017

Cynthia S. Erpelding, age 65, passed away at her home on Tuesday, August 1, 2017. Cindy was born September 17, 1951 in Waterloo, Iowa, daughter of Eddie Sage and the late Beverly (Middlekauff) Sage. She married Wayne Erpelding on March 25, 1972, in Waterloo, Iowa. He preceded her in death on April 13, 2005. Cindy was a homemaker most...

Jul 30, 2017

Joseph “Joe” N. Lohff, age 69, of Merrill, passed away on Sunday, July 30, 2017 at the Marshfield Medical Center in Marshfield.  Joe was born on January 29, 1948 to the late LuEllen Lohff,  in Merrill.  Joe was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Merrill on May 20, 1962.  He attended and graduated from Merrill High School.

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Jul 29, 2017

Annette J. Crespo, age 83, of Wausau, died Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Colonial Manor in Wausau. Taylor-Stine Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Merrill, is assisting the family.

Jul 28, 2017

Mildred “Millie” J. Roman, age 90, of Merrill, passed away on Friday, July 28, 2017, at the Aspirus Hospice House in Wausau.  Millie was born on June 6, 1927, to the late William and Lena (Beyer) Mosser in Merrill.  She married Alfred “Butch” Roman on July 15, 1944 in Merrill.  He preceded her in death on March 4,...

Jul 28, 2017

Barbara J. Schmitz, age 64, of Merrill, passed away on Friday, July 28, 2017 at Mount View Care Center in Wausau, WI.  Barbara was born on March 25, 1953 to the late Marvin Stahnke and Arlene(Dawson) Stahnke, in Medford WI.  She married Gary Schmitz on August 5, 1972 in Merrill.

Barbara worked...

Jul 22, 2017

Thomas Gene Schwartzman, age 88, of Merrill, passed away on Saturday, July 22, 2017, at the Veterans Hospital in King, WI, while under the care of Heartland Hospice.  He was born on August 3, 1928 to the late Ray and Sophia (Johnson) Schwartzman in Merrill, WI.  Thomas proudly served his country by joining the U.S. Army in 1948.  He...

Jul 20, 2017

LaVerne H. Henrichs, age 86, of Merrill, passed away Thursday, July 20, 2017 under hospice care at Aspirus after a fall at home. LaVerne was born March 1, 1931, in Merrill, son of the late Archie and Adela (Luedtke) Henrichs. By all measures, LaVerne lived a full and successful life. He laughed easily, and was never intimidated by life's...