Obituaries

May 27, 2024

Donald A. Norman, 84, of Merrill, passed away Monday, May 27, 2024, at Benedictine Living Community in Wausau.

Donald was born April 4, 1940, in Chicago, son of George and Helen Jeanette (Wildey) Norman. He married Mary Ann Frawley on April 5, 1959, in Milwaukee. Don retired from the former W.C.A. Industries in Merrill where he worked...

May 15, 2024

Jan M. Gartmann, 59, of Rothschild, passed away Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

Jan was born on September 25, 1964, on a U.S. Army Post in Verdun, France, daughter of Jan D. and Joanne (Skrbec) Milos. Growing up, Jan and the family lived in various places due to her father’s service in the Marines,...

May 14, 2024

Marjorie “Marge” Dawn Heidemann, age 97, of Merrill, passed away Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill.

Marjorie was born July 30, 1926, in Merrill, daughter of the late Ray Turbin and Delores (Egan) Cotter. She graduated from Merrill High School in 1944 and then was employed at the former Co-op Grocery Store in...

May 10, 2024

Ronald H. ‘Ron’ Young, 85, of the Town of Rock Falls, passed away Friday, May 10, 2024, at Tomahawk Health Services.

Ron was born July 20, 1938, in Chicago, Illinois, son of the late Elmer and Helen (Graap) Young. He married Ruth Stevenson on June 27, 1964, in Merrill. She survives. Ron worked at Marathon Electric for...

May 8, 2024

Roger F. Hanneman, 81, of Merrill, passed away Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at his home.

Roger was born November 25, 1942, in Wausau, son of Elmer and Berdina (Wendt) Hanneman. He married Darlene Doering on April 3, 1964, in Pine City, Minnesota. She preceded him in death on February 24, 2020. Roger started his career as a...

May 8, 2024

William M. “Bill” Beyer, age 93, of Gleason, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill, Wisconsin.

Bill was born on November 12, 1930, in the Town of Schley, Lincoln County, son of the late William J. and Jessie (Fox) Beyer. He married Marion Kanitz on April 7, 1956,...

May 8, 2024

Olga F. Henrichs (nee Hojan) went to her heavenly home Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at the age of 89. Loving wife of the late LaVerne Henrichs, they were married 63 years. Daughter of the late Leopold Hojan and Amalia Hojan (nee Pobijak). Sister to the late Paul, Mike, Frank, Carl, Joe, and surviving sister Mary Zinkel. Mother to Teresa,...

May 6, 2024

David W. Krause, aged 85, left this earth and entered into God’s kingdom on Monday, May 6, 2024. David was born July 31,1938 in Merrill, Wisconsin to the parents of Ruth (Karau) and Elmer Krause. He joined the Navy at 17 years old and traveled to Japan, Hawaii, and California. After serving four years in the Navy, he returned...

May 2, 2024

Bonnie B. Dickelman-Cannon, 87, formerly of Shawano, passed away Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Benedictine Living Community, Wausau.

Bonnie was born May 21, 1936, in Sheboygan, daughter of George and Amelia (Skrube) Bacon. She married James Wolff and they were blessed with five children. Bonnie lived in Merrill and worked at the former Strand’s clothing...

Apr 22, 2024

Judith Ann Kimmons, 86, a longtime resident of Irma, passed away Monday, April 22, 2024, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill.

Judy was born March 26, 1938, in Merrill, daughter of William and Mildred (Peterson) Lutzke. Judy graduated from Merrill High School with the Class of 1956. She married Dale R. Kimmons on August 11, 1956. He...

Apr 20, 2024

James Ray Smith, Jr., 71, of Merrill, Wisconsin, passed away Saturday, April 20, 2024, at his home.

Jim was born February 16, 1953, in Poteau, Oklahoma, son of James Ray Smith Sr. and Jueline (Autry) Smith. Jim enlisted in the United States Army on July 26, 1971. He was stationed at several Army Bases in Germany, most...

Apr 13, 2024

Shirley L. DeBroux passed away at the age of 97 on April 13, 2024, peacefully in her home.

Shirley was born July 10, 1926, in Milwaukee, daughter of Wilbert and Clara (Eichorst) Carlson. When Shirley was a young girl, her mother passed away very suddenly. Eventually, her father remarried and together Wilbert and Maurine raised the four...

Apr 12, 2024

Connie R. Stein, 74, of Gleason, passed away Friday, April 12, 2024, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

Connie was born September 17, 1949, in Kenosha, daughter of Geral and Helen (Cole) Whitefoot. She married Ronald Stein on December 23, 1967, in Kenosha. He survives. Connie worked at Weinbrenner Shoe Company in Merrill. She enjoyed crocheting, knitting, quilting and...

Apr 5, 2024

Elaine E. Oestreich, 83, of Merrill, passed away Friday, April 5, 2024, at Woodland Court Elder Services, Merrill.

Elaine was born on September 22, 1940, to Paul and Leona (Berndt) Oestreich. After grade school, she attended Merrill Vocational School. Elaine worked at various places in Merrill including Merrill Woolen Mills and Weinbrenner Shoe Company. At a young...

Mar 23, 2024

Yvonne M. Lezotte, 80, of Merrill, passed away Saturday, March 23, 2024, at Bell Tower Residence, Merrill.

Yvonne was born May 6, 1943, in Neillsville, Wisconsin, daughter of Joseph and Josephine (Wenner) Schmidt. She married Alvin Lezotte on November 25, 1961, in Neillsville. He preceded her in death on July 18, 2023.

Mar 22, 2024

Rosemary E. Smith, 92, of Merrill, passed away Friday, March 22, 2024, at Bell Tower Residence, Merrill.

Rosemary was born June 8, 1931, in Mantador, North Dakota, daughter of Albert and Elizabeth (Thiel) Reiland. She married Wayne H. Smith on October 10, 1953, in California. Throughout their marriage, Rosemary and Wayne lived in several different states including...

Mar 13, 2024

Regina E. “Doody,” née Gorsegner, Broeking, 96, formerly of Greendale Drive in the Town of Corning, Merrill, WI, passed away March 13, 2024, at Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill.

Regina was born November 30, 1927, to Gustav and Ella, née Hansen, Gorsegner on the family farm in the Town of Reseburg in Clark County....

Mar 1, 2024

Linda D. Sukow, 69, of Merrill, passed away peacefully Friday, March 1, 2024, under the care of hospice while at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Linda passed away from RSV complications arising from her long-time struggle with COPD.

Linda was born June 2, 1954, in Sturgeon Bay, daughter of Charles ‘Chuck’ Oleson and Dolores (Minton) Oleson. She married Brian...

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...