Obituaries

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 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 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 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 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 23, 2024

Phyllis A. Frederick, 92, of Merrill, passed away Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at Aspirus Merrill Hospital.

Phyllis was born April 8, 1931, in Lincoln County, Wisconsin, daughter of the late Ella Mosser. Phyllis was raised by her mother and her stepfather, John Hopp. Phyllis married Elmer Frederick on June 19, 1948. He preceded her in death on...

Jan 22, 2024

Norma J. (Alft) Hanson, 88, passed away on Monday, January 22, 2024, at Bell Tower Residence, Merrill.

Norma was born in Merrill on February 15, 1935, the daughter of the late George and Renate (Siesennop) Alft. A graduate of Merrill High School, she married Carleton ‘Cart’ Hanson on September 12, 1953. He preceded her in death on...

Jan 22, 2024

Alfred “Jim” James Fox, 78, of Merrill, Wisconsin passed away Monday, January 22, 2024, at Pine

Crest Nursing Home with his loving wife and family by his side after a long and courageous

battle with myelodysplastic syndrome. He was born June 3, 1945, to Thomas “Ned” and Martha

(Wangen) Fox. On July 19,...

Jan 13, 2024

Billy C. ‘Bill’ Hehling, 66, of Gleason, passed away Saturday, January 13, 2024, at his home.

Billy was born April 25, 1957, in Merrill, son of the late John Jr. and Darlene (Weinkauf) Hehling. Bill worked as an over-the-road truck driver for various businesses, including I.T.C., Pioneer Trucking, E.J. Peters Trucking, Marks Transportation, Midland Paper,...

Jan 10, 2024

Ginger A. Peterson, 47, of Merrill, passed away on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at Woodland Court Elder Services, Merrill.

Ginger was born July 7, 1976, in Merrill, daughter of the late Randall and Jacquelyn (Block) Peterson. Ginger graduated from Merrill High School with the class of 1994. She furthered her education at UW-Oshkosh, graduating on May 16,...

Jan 9, 2024

Nathaleen Emma Florene (Bloch) Krueger, 87, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Nathaleen was born May 23, 1936, in Hamburg, Wisconsin, to the late Leo and Rosie (Mootz) Bloch. She was baptized as an infant and confirmed her faith in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, on April 2,...

Jan 8, 2024

Anne M. Torkelson, 75, of Merrill, passed away Monday, January 8, 2024, at her home under the care of her family and hospice.

Anne was born May 17, 1948, in Racine, Wisconsin, daughter of the late Carl E. and Harriet (Hotvedt) Torkelson. As a child, Anne traveled the country due to her father’s career in the United...

Jan 3, 2024

Harriet Torkelson, 103, of Merrill, passed away Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at Bell Tower Residence, Merrill.

Harriet was born December 20, 1920, in the Town of New Hope, Portage County, daughter of the late Johan ‘Eddie’ and Mabel (Ellingson) Hotvedt. She married Carl E. Torkelson on May 11, 1946. He preceded her in death on January 8,...

Jan 2, 2024

Scott L. Engman, 67, of Wausau, passed away Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

Scott was born April 23, 1956, in Wausau, son of the late Anton and Gertrude (Kobak) Engman. He enjoyed watching the Packers, racing, playing pool, and darts.

Scott is survived by his daughters, Heather (Matt) Hoock and Hope Engman...