Bernhardt V.O. 'Bernie' Frick

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 passed away on June 12, 2021.

Bernie joined the National Guard and served with the 32nd Red Arrow Division for 7 years. He trained at Fort McCoy, WI, Fort Knox, KY, and Fort Lewis, WA. Bernie was activated in 1961 during the Berlin Crisis. He was ranked as a 3rd class sergeant and held the Gunner and Tank Commander positions.

Bernie worked at Lincoln Wood Products and then worked as a supervisor at Semco in Plant 2. In 1972, Bernie went back to work on the family farm on a part-time basis. He took over the family farm in 1975 and ‘retired’ in 2021. Bernie was a Delegate for Foremost Farms and received several awards in farming including Milk Quality Award from Foremost Farms and an award for Farming Steward of Land Cattle. Bernie was a proud farmer: He took great pride in his beef cattle and the way his fields and crops looked.

In addition to his full-time work on the farm, Bernie drove bus for Peterson Bussing for 14 years. He really enjoyed this, and the kids called him ‘Grampa Bernie.’

He enjoyed spending time with his family and seeing the younger ones grow up. He loved woodworking and he took great pride in his projects. Bernie loved making his yard look nice. In later years, Bernie enjoyed planting his flowers and cutting hay. Bernie was an active member of St. John Lutheran Church, Merrill, where he was a member of the finance committee.

Bernie is survived by his daughter, Sue (Eugene) Gryskiewicz of Merrill; sons, John Frick, Lorne Frick (Stephanie Bosley), and George Frick (Wendy Vick), all of Merrill, and Glenn (Doreen) Frick of Wausau; grandchildren, Amanda-Sue (Kade) Kleinschmidt of Weston, Caleb (Krista) Bigelow of Weston, Seth Gryskiewicz of Merrill, Samantha Frick (Steve Martyn) of Antigo, Ashley (Thomas) of Merrill, Christopher Frick of San Diego, Bryant Frick (Miranda Monnot) of Bloomville, Paul Frick (Brittny Barry) of Omaha, NE, Toni Frick (AJ Burgener) of Merrill, Betsy (Scott) Pagel of Schofield, Nikki (Eddie) Schroener of Merrill, Jenny (James) Dailey of Wausau, and Tyler Berg of Merrill; 17 great-grandchildren; sisters, Nancy Schmidt of Shawano and Gail Haig of Merrill; brothers, Daniel (Grace) Frick of Merrill, Larry (Sue) Frick of Wausau, and Tim (Debbie) Frick of Richmond, VA; and aunt, Florence Schaupp of Merrill. Bernie was preceded in death by his wife, Caroline Frick; infant son, James Frick; parents, Bernhardt and Marvel Frick; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Gerhardt and Bertha Haig; and brother-in-law, Lloyd Haig.

The funeral service will be at 11:00 A.M. Monday, September 23, 2024, at St. John Lutheran Church, Merrill. The Rev. David Szeto will officiate. The burial will follow in Luther Memorial Church Cemetery, Town of Schley. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Sunday at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, and again after 10:00 A.M. Monday at the church.

The family would like to thank Tanya Kimble for the help she provided to them and Bernie.

Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com