Obituaries

Mar 23, 2024

Yvonne M. Lezotte, 80, of Merrill, passed away Saturday, March 23, 2024, at Bell Tower Residence, Merrill.

Yvonne was born May 6, 1943, in Neillsville, Wisconsin, daughter of Joseph and Josephine (Wenner) Schmidt. She married Alvin Lezotte on November 25, 1961, in Neillsville. He preceded her in death on July 18, 2023.

Mar 22, 2024

Rosemary E. Smith, 92, of Merrill, passed away Friday, March 22, 2024, at Bell Tower Residence, Merrill.

Rosemary was born June 8, 1931, in Mantador, North Dakota, daughter of Albert and Elizabeth (Thiel) Reiland. She married Wayne H. Smith on October 10, 1953, in California. Throughout their marriage, Rosemary and Wayne lived in several different states including...

Mar 19, 2024

Jean Carol Olson, age 85, of Merrill, passed away on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at the Aspirus Wausau Hospital, with her family by her side.  She was born on December 17, 1938 to the late Charles and Margaret (Zuleger) Huckbody in Wausau, WI.  Jean attended and graduated from Washinton Park High School in Racine, before continuing her education at UW-Milwaukee...

Mar 17, 2024

Carol Jean Peterson, age 69, of Merrill, passed away on Sunday, March 17, 2024, at the Aspirus Merrill Hospital, after a long battle with cancer.  She was born on November 30, 1954 to the late William J. and Elizabeth R. (Cole) Rehwinkel in Merrill.  Carol attended and graduated from Merrill High School.

Carol most recently worked for the Aspirus Merrill Hospital...

Mar 16, 2024

Christopher M. Rehwinkel, age 51, of Merrill, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at his home.  He was born on March 4, 1973 to Mark and Linda (Streeter) Rehwinkel in Merrill.   His father survives.  Chris attended and graduated from Merrill High School, with the class of 1991.

Chris was currently working at Walmart, but had spent many years...

Mar 16, 2024

Chad William Evenson, age 44, of Merrill, passed away on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at his home, with his loving parents by his side and while under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services.  He was born on April 5, 1979 to William and Marilyn (Wetterau) Evenson in Wausau, WI.  Chad attended school in Wausau and Merrill.  

Chad...

Mar 13, 2024

Regina E. “Doody,” née Gorsegner, Broeking, 96, formerly of Greendale Drive in the Town of Corning, Merrill, WI, passed away March 13, 2024, at Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill.

Regina was born November 30, 1927, to Gustav and Ella, née Hansen, Gorsegner on the family farm in the Town of Reseburg in Clark County....

Mar 13, 2024

Charlotte “Char” M. Mootz, age 82, passed away unexpectedly at her residence on Wednesday, March 13, 2024.   She was born on May 13, 1941 to the late Harold and Elizabeth (Jopke) Hackbarth in Merrill.  Charlotte attended and graduated from Merrill High School and went on to further her education at the Northwest Institute of Technology in St. Paul, MN,...

Mar 10, 2024

Linda L. Henrichs, age 84, of Merrill, passed away on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Marshfield Medical Center – Weston.  She was born on May 10, 1939 to the late Lloyd and Isabel (Shank) Londerville in Milwaukee, WI.  Linda met Wayne Henrichs, and the two were united in marriage July 3, 1964 until his death on March 12, 1998....

Mar 5, 2024

Lon Michael Truckey, age 58, of Merrill, passed away on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at the Aspirus Wausau Hospital, as the result of an automobile accident.  He was born on March 7, 1965 to the late Robert and Patricia (Atkielski) Truckey in Milwaukee, WI.  He attended and graduated from Merrill High School.  Lon faithfully served his country in the United...

Mar 5, 2024

John “Butch” M. Jirovec, age 77, of Merrill, passed away on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at the Howard Young Medical Center in Woodruff, WI, with his family by his side.  He was born on January 3, 1947 to the late John and Marian (Roemer) Jirovec in Merrill.  Butch attended and graduated from Merrill High School before enlisting in the United...

Mar 4, 2024

Eugene “Gene” Wayne Bondioli, age 80, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 4, 2024, at his home, under the care of Compassus Hospice. He was surrounded by his three daughters and faithful companion, Stormy.

Eugene was born on June 16, 1943, in Merrill, to the late Geno and Margaret (Lindstrom) Bondioli. He was raised in Merrill and graduated from Merrill High...

Mar 1, 2024

Linda D. Sukow, 69, of Merrill, passed away peacefully Friday, March 1, 2024, under the care of hospice while at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Linda passed away from RSV complications arising from her long-time struggle with COPD.

Linda was born June 2, 1954, in Sturgeon Bay, daughter of Charles ‘Chuck’ Oleson and Dolores (Minton) Oleson. She married Brian...

Feb 29, 2024

Virgil F. Nau, 90, of Merrill, passed away Thursday, February 29, 2024, at Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital.

Virgil was born May 7, 1933, in the Town of Easton, Marathon County, son of Rev. John H. Nau and Henrietta (Miller) Nau. He was baptized on June 4, 1933, at St. John Lutheran Church, Town of Easton, by...

Feb 27, 2024

Mildred Johanna (Riemer) Behm was born March 19, 1921, to William and Emma Riemer during a thunder & lightning storm. She attended Hartwig Grade School through 8th grade, which sparked her quest for learning and teaching her younger siblings by playing school. During her High School years, a room was rented in Merrill during the week and home on...

Feb 26, 2024

Eric Wilson Heggblom, 57, died unexpectedly on February 26, 2024, at his residence in St. Louis, MO.   He was born on May 12, 1966, in San Diego, CA, where his father was in training with the United States Navy.  In 1969, his father’s work at O’Hare airport in Chicago, IL, prompted Eric’s parents to move to Rockford, IL, where...

Feb 26, 2024

Sweet Baby Freya Beckman, only 4 days old, passed away peacefully in her mother’s arms on Monday, February 26, 2024.  She was born in Wausau on February 22, 2024, and was the infant daughter to Lindsey Closser-Mork and Dominic Beckman.  During her short time with her loving family, she won over their hearts, along with everyone that met her.  

Baby...

Feb 24, 2024

Gerald C. ‘Jerry’ Leistikow, 88, of Merrill, passed away Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Bell Tower Residence, Merrill.

Jerry was born March 24, 1935, in the Town of Corning, Lincoln County, son of Clarence Sr. and Minnie (Bartelt) Leistikow. He met the love of his life, Sally Ingersoll, and the two lovingly exchanged marriage vows...

Feb 24, 2024

Rose Marie Lakes, 87, of Merrill, passed away Saturday, February 24, 2024, at her home.

Rose Marie was born December 13, 1936, in Merrill, daughter of Rinehardt and Johanna (Hassel) Graap. She married Steven E. Lakes and he passed away on September 15, 2007. Rose Marie worked many years as a registered nurse at hospitals in California...

Feb 19, 2024

Daniel F. Johnson, 75, of Merrill, passed away Monday, February 19, 2024.

Dan was born August 28, 1948, in Illinois, son of the late Harland and Lois (Shea) Johnson. He married Claudette ‘Claude’ Sabatke on February 10, 1968. He was married to the love of his life for 52 years. Claude preceded him in death on December...