Mary E. Kufahl

Mary E. “Bingo” Kufahl, 84, of Merrill, passed away peacefully, Monday, June 17th, 2024, while under the care of Aspirus Hospice and her family at Bell Tower Residence.

Mary was born December 21, 1939, in Merrill to the late C. L. Bud and Jean (Walsh) Caylor. She graduated from Our Lady of the Holy Cross High School and then continued her education first at the Lincoln County Normal school and then at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point where she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in elementary education.

On August 20, 1960, she married Eldred “Bim” Kufahl at St. Robert’s Catholic Church in Merrill, he survives.

Mary worked in elementary education teaching generations of students at both Merrill Catholic Schools and Merrill Area Public Schools. Although she retired in 1995, she continued to substitute teach until 2017.

Mary and Eldred along with their family and friends traveled extensively preferring warmer climates and fishing in Canada. She also enjoyed over 60 years on the Wisconsin River, first at the Caylor family cabin and then at their own cabin in the Town of Rock Falls and camping at campgrounds in northern Wisconsin. Many a summers night Bingo and Bim spent watching ball games of their children and grandchildren and the Milwaukee Brewers. She also enjoyed attending concerts, especially the ones in the park and taking their regular drives through town and all over the countryside.

Survivors include her husband, Eldred Kufahl of Merrill; and sons, John (Kari Lea) Kufahl of Merrill and Michael (Sue) Kufahl of Irma. She is further survived by three grandchildren, Daniel (Stephanie) Kufahl of Merrill, Dr. Timothy (Jayce) Kufahl of Duluth, MN and Ryan Kufahl (Lauren Fehl) of Irma; step-grandchildren, Brooke (Troy) Brandt of Soddy Daisy, TN, Derek (Kate Ketring) Koehler of Merrill, and Justin (Jasmine) Koehler of Grayslake, IL; and great-grandchildren, Claire, Ian, Hannah, David, Lenoria, Ulla, Edward, and Anders.

She is further survived by her brother, Peter (Colleen) Caylor of Fairfax Station, VA; her in-laws, Donna Caylor, Carol Caylor, Darwin (Karolyn) Haufe, and Mary Ann Kufahl; and a host of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Timothy John Kufahl; siblings, Kathryn Sensenbrenner, T. William “Bill” (Darlene) Caylor, Margaret (Myron) Oestreich, Timothy Caylor, Michael (Kathleen) Caylor, and Daniel Caylor; and in-laws, Herb and Elaine Kufahl and Emery (Geraldine) Kufahl.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, June 27, 2024, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Merrill. Father Mariadas Vallabhaneni and Deacon John Bourke will preside. Burial will follow at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery, Merrill. A visitation will be held on Wednesday June 26, 2024, at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com