Obituaries

Apr 9, 2022

Debbie K. Bernhard, 58, of Merrill, passed away Saturday, April 9, 2022, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill. Debbie was born September 10, 1963, in Merrill, daughter of the late John and Ellen (Wegner) Neuwirth. She married Jay Bernhard on May 2, 1998. He survives. Debbie graduated from UW-Oshkosh with a degree in Psychology. She was employed for several...

Apr 9, 2022

Bette Jane Baumann, age 94, of Merrill, went to her Heavenly home on Saturday, April 9, 2022, at Rennes in Weston, WI, while under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services.  She was born on December 21, 1927, to the late Henry and Elsie (Neuman) Litke in Merrill.  She met Edwin Hahn and the two exchanged marriage...

Apr 8, 2022

Carol Jean (Krause) Ward, age 74, passed away on April 8, 2022. Carol was born in Merrill to Clarence and Grace (Sukow) Krause on August 2, 1947. She was received into God’s kingdom of grace through the waters of Holy Baptism at Trinity Lutheran Church, Merrill, on August 24, 1947, attended Trinity School, and was confirmed in 1961. She...

Apr 7, 2022

Daniel (Dan) Luther Klemp was born on July 29,1949, to the late William and Signe Klemp in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. He later moved with his family to Merrill, Wisconsin where he attended St. John Lutheran School and graduated from Merrill High School with a gold tassel. Dan spent his last years at Mount View Care Center in Wausau, Wisconsin....

Apr 6, 2022

Darlene J. Graap, 75, formerly of the town of Harding, Lincoln County, passed away Wednesday, April 6, 2022, at Marshfield Medical Center – Weston. Darlene was born on September 8, 1946, in Wausau, daughter of the late Martin and Edna (Goetsch) Mootz. She graduated from Wausau West High School in 1964. Darlene married Donald Graap Sr. on February 19,...

Apr 6, 2022

Sally E. Hostvedt, 85, of Merrill, passed away Wednesday, April 6, 2022, at the Hospice House in Wausau. Sally was born September 9, 1936, in Appleton, Wisconsin. After graduating from Port Edwards High School, Sally continued her education at Valparaiso University. She married Donald Hostvedt on September 6, 1958, in Port Edwards, Wisconsin. He survives. Together, Sally and Don...

Apr 5, 2022

Donald William Fechtner, age 86, died Tuesday, April 6, 2022 at home surrounded by family. Don was born on February 5, 1936 in Madison, WI to Irma (Zimpel) and Norman Fechtner. He was baptized, had his early education, and was confirmed at St. John’s Church in Merrill, WI. He graduated in 1954 from Merrill High School. In 1954 he...

Apr 4, 2022

Dale Jerome Rasmussen Dale (“Jerry”, “Riley”) Jerome Rasmussen 82, of Merrill, passed away on April 4, 2022, under the care of family, and hospice at Pine Crest Nursing Home (Special Care). Dale was born on August 27, 1939, in Green Bay, son of the late Charles and Georgia (Arnett) Rasmussen. Jerry grew up in the Pine River area of...

Apr 4, 2022

Marc E. Wood, 87, passed away Monday, April 4, 2022 at Pine Crest Nursing Home after an illness. He was comforted in his last days by his wife Jeannette (also a Pine Crest resident) and children.

Marc was born April 10, 1934 in Moline, Ill. He married Jeannette Young in 1955 and they raised four children together....

Apr 3, 2022

On the morning of April 3rd, 2022, Rick A. Osness passed away unexpectedly at his home. Rick was born to Carol (and the late Dale) Osness November 16, 1958, and was the eldest of their eight children. Rick was a sports enthusiast, athlete, and nicknamed Earl. He collected memorabilia from his favorite teams and organized a personal sports history...

Mar 31, 2022

Tyrone Michael Dingman, a resident of Marathon County, departed this life on Thursday, March 31st, 2022, at his home in Merrill. He was born April 7th, 1986, and in his 35 years he lived a life of good times with friends, and humorous memories with his family. He is survived by his Grandmother Helen Dingman; Mother Teddi Dingman-Ngare; Brothers...

Mar 29, 2022

Norris O. Hattlestad of Merrill passed away Tuesday March 29, 2022, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill. Born on May 16, 1938, in Decorah, Iowa, he was the son of the late Nels and Winifred (Thompson) Hattlestad. He received numerous awards for his athletic achievements in football, wrestling, and baseball at Decorah High School and received athletic scholarships in...

Mar 29, 2022

Ruth Ferree Nesmith, 95, of Gleason, Wisconsin, formerly of Carmichaels, Pennsylvania, was received into Glory on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at her daughter's home in Gleason. Ruth was born February 6, 1927, in Nemacolin, Pennsylvania, daughter of the late George Reed Ferree and Emma Frances (Nedley) Ferree. Ruth graduated from the former Cumberland Township High School in 1946. She...

Mar 29, 2022

Patrick ‘Pat’ J. Myers, age 79, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at his home, while surrounded by his loving family and supported by Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services.  He was born on February 22, 1943, to the late Jerome and Louise (Michalski) Myers in Milwaukee, WI.  Pat moved to Merrill...

Mar 27, 2022

Susan J. Hinz was welcomed into heaven on March 27, 2022. Sue was born June 4, 1961, to Hobart and Joan (Edbauer) Hinz.  She was very loved by her family and will be sadly missed.

Sue spent most of her career as a CNA at Pine Crest, retiring just last year. More recently, she worked at Wal-Mart...

Mar 24, 2022

Sarah Jean (Lange) Kitchen of Schofield, WI, passed away unexpectedly at St. Clare’s Hospital, Weston, on March 24, 2022, at age 49.  Sarah was a gentle and kindhearted wife, daughter, sister, auntie, and friend.  Sarah was born on July 31, 1972, to Arnold and Elizabeth Lange in Merrill, WI. She graduated Wausau West High School and attended...

Mar 24, 2022

Kathy Sue Simon, a.k.a. “Kat”, age 65, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Thursday, March 24, 2022.  Kathy was born on October 27, 1956, to Dick and Gladys (Earls) Levy in Chula Vista, CA.  Her mother, Gladys, survives.  She met Chuck Simon, and the two exchanged marriage vows on November 12, 2003, in California.  Sadly, he preceded her...

Mar 23, 2022

Douglas “Doug” Ray Sprague, age 63, of Merrill, Wisconsin passed away surrounded by his family on March 23, 2022, after battling cancer for 26 years. He was born on August 29, 1958, in Champaign/Urbana, Illinois to the late Robert Ray and Myrna Florence (Williams) Sprague.

Doug grew up in Clinton, Illinois. He was united in marriage to...

Mar 20, 2022

Judy E. Esser, 79, of Merrill passed away Sunday, March 20, 2022, at Woodland Court. Judy was born May 14, 1942, in Tomah, Wisconsin, daughter of the late Harry and Mary Eleanor (Dickhut) Wildes. She married John Esser on June 21, 1968, at Luther Memorial Church in Milwaukee. Judy was a member of Beta Sigma Phi. Judy is survived...

Mar 19, 2022

Stephen “Steve” John Blake, age 81, of Merrill, Wisconsin passed away on Saturday, March 19, 2022, at Aspirus Hospital in Wausau, Wisconsin. He was born on December 8, 1940, to the late Cella Emmett and Eleda Candace (Severson) Blake in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

On September 10, 1966, Steve married Linda L. Hojan at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Merrill, Wisconsin. Steve worked as a manager at Woolworths for 11...