Obituaries

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

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 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 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...

Feb 17, 2024

“Minnie” Pearl Alma Eleanor Sabatke, age 85, passed on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill. Pearl was born on February 4, 1939 and was the daughter to the late Arthur and Elfrieda (Lambrecht) Porath in Wausau, Wisconsin. Pearl married the love of her life, Leslie Sabatke on June 16, 1956, they enjoyed nearly 65 beautiful...

Feb 13, 2024

Sister Loretta Schreiber

May 2, 1928 – February 13, 2024

Sister Loretta Schreiber, a Sister of Mercy of the Holy Cross, age 95, died February 13, 2024, at Bell Tower Residence Assisted Living in Merrill, Wisconsin.

Irene Schreiber was born May 2, 1928, in Athens, Wisconsin, to Bernard and Hattie (Soucek) Schreiber. She...

Feb 13, 2024

Marilyn Kay Maschke, age 72, of Merrill, died peacefully on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, while under the care of Interim Hospice.  She was born on January 2, 1952, to the late Glen and Julia (Tscherter) Buffinton in Fort Dodge, Iowa.  Marilyn graduated from Merrill High School in 1971, and began working as a Certified Nursing...

Feb 10, 2024

Carol Jean (Gille) Pester, 88, of Merrill, passed away Saturday, February 10, 2024, at Aspirus Merrill Hospital.

Carol was born December 27, 1935, daughter of Peter John and Mabel (Lee) Gille. She graduated from Merrill Senior High School in 1953. After graduation, she worked for her parents in the cab business. In 1954, she went to work...

Feb 5, 2024

Robert D. ‘Bob’ Valliere, 72, of Gleason, passed away surrounded by his family on Monday, February 5, 2024.

Bob was born January 27, 1952, in Chicago, son of Hiram and Florence (Schwartz) Valliere. When he was about two years old, Bob and his family moved to Lac du Flambeau. He grew up on the reservation and attended...

Feb 5, 2024

Barbara J. Bakke, 75, of Merrill, passed away Monday, February 5, 2024, at her home.

Barbara was born November 23, 1948, in Oconomowoc, WI, daughter of Franklin and Lois Schoenfeld. She worked in nursing care at skilled nursing facilities. Barb enjoyed being outside whether it was camping and swimming in the lake or working in her flower...

Feb 4, 2024

James "Jim" Henry Von Loh, age 71, of the town of Pine River, passed away on Sunday, February 4, 2024, at his home.  He was born on October 29, 1952 to the late Henry F. and Lula M. (Goff) Von Loh.

No services will be held.

Waid Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences...

Feb 3, 2024

Roberta L. Stuemke, 71, of Oshkosh, formerly of Merrill, passed away Saturday, February 3, 2024, at the Waterford at Colby, Colby, WI.

Roberta was born May 11, 1952, in Merrill, daughter of George and Florence (Thanholdt) Stuemke. She attended Merrill Senior High School, graduating in 1970. She then attended the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. She graduated in...

Jan 30, 2024

Fred Will, 95, of Merrill, embraced his Savior on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, leaving this earthly home.

Fred was born on April 29, 1928 in Irma, WI, the son of Godfrey and Anna (Schenzel) Will.  He moved to Merrill at the age of 18 to work on the Pope Dairy Farm.  As grace would have it, he fell in love with...

Jan 28, 2024

Leah D. Krause, 47, of Merrill, passed away Sunday, January 28, 2024, at University Hospital in Madison.

Leah was born September 15, 1976, in Wausau, daughter of the late Richard ‘Dick’ and Diane (Abraham) Danielewicz. She is survived by her husband Jason Krause. They were married on September 29th 2012. Leah graduated from D.C. Everest High School...

Jan 26, 2024

Dennis A. Schmidt, 78, of Merrill, passed away Friday, January 26, 2024, at Mount View Care Center surrounded by his family.

Dennis was born January 22, 1946, in Merrill, son of the late Arthur and Phyllis (Kleinschmidt) Schmidt. He graduated from high school and enlisted in the United States Army in 1965. After serving during...

Jan 24, 2024

John E. H. Harder, age 88 of Merrill passed away January 24, 2024, at Mt View Nursing Home. John was born December 7, 1935, in Minneapolis, Minnesota to the late Walter and Alida (Plante) Harder.

John served 20 years in the United States Air Force as a Mechanic from August of 1955 to July of...

Jan 24, 2024

Earl Harvey Dallman, age 92, of Merrill, died peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, while under the care of Interim Hospice.  He was born on October 6, 1931 to the late Erwin and Martha (Grassberger) Dallman in Merrill.  Earl attended Merrill High School and graduated with the class of 1949.  He met...