Obituaries

Jul 17, 2021

Richard L. Wiessinger, age 81, of Merrill, passed away on Saturday, July 17, 2021, at his home. Richard was born May 12, 1940, in Madison, son of the late Robert and Dorothy (Dennis) Wiessinger. Richard and his family moved up to Eagle River when he was five years old. He graduated from the former Eagle River High School. While...

Jul 16, 2021

Lois N. Benzinger, 81, of Merrill, passed away Friday, July 16, 2021 at her home under the care of her family and Compassus Hospice. Lois was born March 18, 1940, in Elmhurst, Illinois, daughter of the late Clark and Tabitha ‘Erna’ (Broschied) Lonie. She was joined in marriage to the love of her life, Gary Benzinger on October 19,...

Jul 16, 2021

Zoe Catherine Angelica Bares, adorned by the Sacraments as a bride of Christ, was called home on the same day of her birth, Friday, July 16, 2021, to the heavenly wedding feast. She was true to her namesake, fighting hard for the gift of life that God gave her, and so she was able to enjoy a full day...

Jul 12, 2021

Ray A. Pfingsten, 83, of Gleason, passed away Monday, July 12, 2021, at his home under the care of his family and Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services. Ray was born December 13, 1937, in the Town of Russell, Lincoln County, son of the late August and Hilda (Kankelfitz) Pfingsten. He married Karan Couse on October 29, 1960, at...

Jul 10, 2021

Jeanette I. Lee, age 94, of Merrill, passed away on Saturday, July 10, 2021, while residing at Pine Crest Nursing Home. Jeanette was born October 22, 1926, in Portage County, daughter of the late Ervin and Esther (Persike) Yonke. She married Elmer L. Lee on September 27, 1947. He preceded her in death on October 25, 2016. Jeanette was...

Jul 9, 2021

Joan Marie Rohloff, age 83, of Antigo, Wisconsin, passed away at her home on July 9, 2021. She was born on February 10, 1938, to the late John and Kathleen (Cook) Noftall in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada.

While visiting Plattsburgh, New York, Joan met James M. Rohloff while attending a party. They both loved dancing, especially to...

Jul 7, 2021

Raymond J. (Spiker) Buck, age 79, of Merrill passed away July 7, 2021, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. He was born on January 20, 1942, in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, to the late John and Dorothy (Kronawetter) Buck. Ray married Faye Langlois on January 18, 1964, in Hawthorne, California, a union that would last over 57 years.

Ray graduated from...

Jul 6, 2021

Ronald “Ron” D. Hinz, age 79, of Madison, formerly of Merrill, passed away on July 6, 2021 in Wausau. He was born July 19, 1941 in Merrill to the late Harold and Ruth (Gruetzmacher) Hinz.

Ron served in the Army National Guard. He earned his Bachelors Degree in Accounting and put it to good use working for...

Jul 5, 2021

Lawrence F. Duginski, beloved father, husband, grandpa, brother, uncle, and friend was reunited in spirit with those gone before on July 5, 2021 at 90 years young. He passed under loving care of family, the wonderful staff at Woodland Ct. Assisted Living, and the helpfulness of Compassus Hospice Services. On a warm summer day, June 22nd, 1931 on the...

Jul 2, 2021

Phyllis B. Dorgan, 94, former Gleason resident, passed away on Friday, July 2, 2021 at Pine Crest Nursing Home. She was born on June 18, 1927, in Chicago, Illinois to Adam and Marie Gawlik. Phyllis was married to Joseph Dorgan, Sr, on November 25, 1947 in Illinois. The family spent summers in the Gleason area and moved permanently there...

Jul 1, 2021

Bruce W. Anderson, 68, of Merrill, passed away Thursday, July 1, 2021, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill, Wisconsin. Bruce was born March 17, 1953, in Crosby, North Dakota, son of the late Leonard and Peggy (Bixby) Anderson. Bruce met Ellen Gunderson while they both attended Mayville State College in Mayville, North Dakota. They were married on August 11,...

Jun 27, 2021

Ernest ‘Ernie’ Weisskopf, 92, of Merrill, passed away on Sunday, June 27, 2021, at his home under the care of his family and hospice services. Ernie was born July 27, 1928, in the Town of Schley, Lincoln County, son of the late Adolph and Elsie (Stampfli) Weisskopf. He married MaryAnn D. Klade on October 25, 1952, at Trinity Lutheran...

Jun 27, 2021

Kathaleen “Kathy” M. Lindquist, age 77, of Merrill, passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 27, 2021 at Bell Tower Residence under the care of Compassus Hospice. She was born November 13, 1943 in Tomahawk to the late William and Kathryn (Tierney) Stiff. Kathy and Tom Lindquist were united in marriage on October 16, 1975 in Tomahawk. He...

Jun 23, 2021

Linda Lee (Davis) Sparby, aged 74, died Wednesday June 23, 2021 at The Bay at Colonial Manor Health and Rehabilitation Center in Wausau, WI surrounded by family.  Linda was born in Merrill, WI on March 30, 1947 to Greenwood O. Davis and Ila M. (Williquette) Davis. Her parents preceded her in death in 1987 and 1977. Linda lived in...

Jun 18, 2021

Mary A. Urban, age 86, passed away Friday, June 18, 2021, at Bell Tower Residence under the care of Bell Tower staff and Compassus Hospice. Mary was born October 17, 1934, in Highmore, South Dakota, daughter of the late Victor and Edith (Olson) Duchene. Mary moved to Merrill in 1967. She married Edwin B. Urban on December 22, 1975,...

Jun 18, 2021

Roman J. Peterson peacefully entered eternal life Friday, June 18 in Merrill. He was reunited with his wife of 68 years, Carol, who preceded him in death in March of 2018.

Roman, who early in life became known as Butch, was born in Park Falls, Wisconsin on January 20, 1930. Butch was one of 5 children raised...

Jun 15, 2021

Arlyn G. Schade, Sr., age 76 of Merrill, passed away on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Arlyn was born June 11, 1945, in Wausau, son of the late Adelbert and Eleanore (Blaubach) Schade. He graduated from Marathon High School. On January 27, 1968, he married Barbara Erdman at Trinity Lutheran Church in...

Jun 14, 2021

Andrew ‘Andy’ John Lyon, age 37, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, June 14, 2021, in Green Bay, WI.  He was born on July 14, 1983, to Werner and Elizabeth (Lyon) Mathis in Merrill, WI.  His mother survives.

Andy worked at FyterTech as a lead operator for many years.  He loved his work and the people that he...

Jun 13, 2021

Rose Jane Polasek-Kleinschmidt, age 91, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, June 13, 2021, at Woodland Court Elder Services in Merrill, while surrounded by her loving daughters and under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services.  She was born on November 5, 1929, to the late August and Mary (Martz) Kottman in Merrill, WI.  Rose married Clarence...

Jun 12, 2021

Caroline D. Frick, age 82, of rural Merrill, passed away on Saturday, June 12, 2021. Caroline was born May 31, 1939 in Merrill, daughter of the late Gerhardt and Bertha (Drager) Haig. She married Bernhardt V.O. Frick on July 1, 1961 at St. John Lutheran Church, Merrill. He survives. Caroline was a 1957 graduate of Merrill Senior High School....