Obituaries

Oct 23, 2024

Kathleen Ann Maria (Spangler) Wegner (b. September 3rd, 1945 to Harold John Peter and Regina Sophia (Markofski) Spangler in Berlin, Wisconsin) and her loving husband Lee Gordon Wegner (b. February 19th, 1942 to Raymond and Darlene (Westrick) Wegner in Whitewater, Wisconsin) tragically passed on from this earthly life on Wednesday, October 23rd, 2024, near their home in Merrill, Wisconsin. They...

Oct 21, 2024

Beloved mother and grandmother, Margaret Bong, affectionately known as Marge, age 76, died on October 21, 2024 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Marge was born in Wausau, WI to the late Tony and Clara (McGrecki) Kryshak.

Marge was the heart of her home and family. She raised three children Ricky, Jodi, and Matt, in a happy and loving home to be independent...

Oct 21, 2024

Terrence Doering, age 75, died on October 21, 2024 at Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill, WI. Terrence was born in Merrill, WI to the late Loraine Kendall.

Terrence, known as Terry, was a graduate of Merrill High School and later graduated from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point with a bachelor’s degree in education. This would later foster his passion...

Oct 20, 2024

Carol (Seehafer) Duwe was born December 24, 1937, the daughter of Edward and Wilma (Calder) Seehafer. Carol passed away October 20, 2024. She married Gerald Duwe on May 7, 1960, at St. Stephens United Church of Christ, Merrill. He passed away November 14, 2023.

Carol was a 1955 graduate of Merrill High School. She attended the University...

Oct 17, 2024

Donna Mae Forster, age 85, died on October 17, 2024 at Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill, WI under the care of hospice. Donna was born in Merrill, WI to the late Hubert and Ruth (Baumann) Messerschmidt.

On May 29, 1961 she married Alvin Forster. He preceded her death in 2023.

Donna graduated from Trinity Lutheran School and Merrill High School.

Donna was...

Oct 13, 2024

Steven W. ‘Steve’ Hoefs, 66, of Merrill, passed away Sunday, October 13, 2024, at his home. 

Steve was born October 27, 1957, in Milwaukee, son of Gerald and Sheila (Fildes) Hoefs. He married Theresa ‘Teri’ Pelczynski on July 1, 1978. Steve served his country in the United States Army for eight years. He was stationed in Virginia, Germany, and Colorado. After...

Oct 10, 2024

William Herbert Cohrs passed peacefully to his heavenly home on October 10, 2024. He was born on January 2, 1939 in Merrill to Herbert and Irene (Boettcher) Cohrs. He attended St. John Lutheran School and graduated from Merrill High. William married Carolyn (Barney) on October 1, 1966. They recently celebrated 58 years of marriage. 

He joined the Army National Guard and...

Oct 8, 2024

Roy Timothy Thiel, 65, of Merrill, WI passed away at Marshfield Medical Center, Weston on October 8, 2024, with immediate family by his side.

Roy was born to Roy Henry and Jacquelyn Carol (Colling) Thiel on March 18, 1959, in Appleton, WI where he attended elementary school before moving to Merrill, WI. Roy graduated from Merrill High...

Oct 7, 2024

Clarence Leistikow Jr., age 82, of the town of Corning, passed away on Monday, October 7, 2024, at his home, while surrounded by his family and under the care of Compassus Hospice.

He was born on December 5, 1941, to the late Clarence and Minnie (Bartelt) Leistikow Sr. at the farmhouse in the town of...

Oct 5, 2024

Ron Schleif passed away unexpectedly and peacefully at home on his farm on October 5, 2024, at the age of 73 in Merrill, WI. Born on November 1st, 1950, the son of the late Theodore and Lila (Sense) Schleif. He attended Goettchel and brickyard one room school-house, and Pine River School. He graduated Merrill High School class of 68....

Oct 5, 2024

Dennis W. ‘Denny’ Ebner, 73, of Merrill, peacefully passed away at his home under the care of his loving daughters and Compassus Hospice on Saturday, October 5, 2024.

Denny was born January 15, 1951, in La Crosse, WI, the son of Walter ‘Walt’ and Patricia ‘Pat’ (Sutton) Ebner. Denny grew up in Wausau and graduated from Wausau...

Oct 4, 2024

JoAnn D. Vachavake, 87, of Merrill, passed away Friday, October 4, 2024, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill.

JoAnn was born October 31, 1936, in Merrill, daughter of the late Hattie (Skofronek) and George Ament Jr. She married Ronald Vachavake on June 2, 1956, in Merrill. He survives. JoAnn was a member of St. Stephens United Church...

Oct 2, 2024

Nancy Ann Priebe, age 75, was welcomed into her heavenly home on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, while residing at Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill. She was born and raised in Merrill and was the daughter of the late Melvin (Roy) Nelson & June (Severt) Nelson Downing. Nancy attended and graduated with the class of 1967 from Merrill High School....

Sep 29, 2024

Donald “Don” Anthony Kaminski, age 90, of Merrill, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 29, 2024, while at Woodland Court Elder Services in Merrill, and under the care of Compassus Hospice Care. He was born on June 22, 1934 to the late Leo and Margaret (Ewertowski) Kaminski in Chicago, IL. Don attended and graduated from high school in Chicago, IL....

Sep 27, 2024

Herman F. Zunker Jr., age 88, of Merrill, passed away on Friday, September 27, 2024, at the Aspirus Wausau Hospital, after many courageous battles with cancer. He was born on February 8, 1936, to the late Herman and Wilma (Winkert) Zunker Sr. in Wausau, WI. Herm attended and graduated from Wausau High School, before entering the United States Army, where...

Sep 19, 2024

Judith A. Seehafer, 83, of Merrill, passed away Thursday, September 19, 2024, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill.

Judy was born March 25, 1941, in Wausau. She married David Seehafer in May of 1961. He preceded her in death on September 14, 2023. Judy worked in housekeeping at Wausau Insurance. Judy enjoyed reading, spending time outside, and...

Sep 19, 2024

Duane G. Hanrahan, age 78, of Merrill, passed away on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at the Pam Rehab Facility in Wausau, WI.  He was born on August 17, 1946, in Merrill, WI.

No services will be held.

Sep 18, 2024

Arlene Marion (Hass) Wilharms (88 years-old) of Merrill, Wisconsin passed away in her sleep early morning on Wednesday, September 18th, 2024. She was on hospice and in the care of her family so she could stay living on her farm.

Arlene graduated from Merrill High School in 1954. A couple weeks later, she married her late husband,...

Sep 18, 2024

Gloria C. Horswill, age 87, of Merrill, passed away on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill, while under the care of Interim Hospice. She was born on June 25, 1937, to the late Mr & Mrs. Catherine Zasada in Milwaukee, WI. Gloria attended and graduated from high school in Milwaukee before she met and married...

Sep 15, 2024

Bernhardt V. O. ‘Bernie’ Frick, 85, of the Town of Schley, passed away on Sunday, September 15, 2024.

Bernie was born January 8, 1939, in Merrill, son of Bernhardt and Marvel (Mitchell) Frick. Bernie was a 1957 graduate of Merrill High School. He married Caroline Haig on July 1, 1961, at St. John Lutheran Church, Merrill. Caroline...