Ann Ravn

Ann Elsen Ravn, age 92, of Merrill, died March 14, 2022, at Bell Tower Residence surrounded by her family. Ann was born January 28, 1930, to the late Albert and Hazel (Willett) Elsen in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her family later moved to Merrill, where she grew up. She attended St. Francis Xavier Catholic School and graduated from Our Lady of the Holy Cross High School in Merrill. Ann later attended the College of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois. On June 15, 1950, she married Erling O. Ravn Jr. (Ole) at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in a ceremony officiated by her brother, Father Vincent Elsen. Their marriage lasted 68 wonderful years, ending with Ole’s death on September 12, 2018. Ann devoted her life to raising her five children and supporting Ole’s commitment to medicine and the Merrill community. Ann will always be remembered for her fun-loving approach to life and the many valuable lessons she imparted on her family. She enjoyed hosting social gatherings, cooking holiday dinners, traveling with family and friends and watching the Badgers and Packers. A special place in her heart was the Ravn Cottage on the Prairie River, where so many lasting memories were created. Ann actively volunteered in the community, serving as a charter member of the Holy Cross-Good Samaritan Hospital Auxiliary and the United Way Board of Directors. She volunteered for the Merrill Community Food Pantry and St. Robert’s Church Council and Altar Society. Ann enjoyed many years of involvement with Merrill’s Study Class and the Beta Sigma Phi-Laureate Kappa Chapter. Survivors include her children Michael (Jean), Merrill; Kristin (Dave) Preboske, DeForest, Wisconsin; Mary (Dave) Brand, Brookfield, Wisconsin; Timothy (Tracy), Merrill and Thomas, Chicago, Illinois. She is further survived by 14 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and her sister Helen Reinhart, Hendersonville, North Carolina. In addition to her husband, Ole, she was preceded in death by an infant son, Daniel, an infant granddaughter, her brothers, Al, Les and Fr. Vince and two sisters, Margaret and Mary. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, the Holy Cross Sisters or the Bell Tower Residence, all of Merrill, Wisconsin. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 p.m., noon, on Thursday, March 17, 2022, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Merrill. Father Maria will preside. Burial will take place at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 17, 2022, at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home.