Meet Our Caring Team

anna@waidfuneral.com

Anna grew up in Cumberland, Wisconsin and graduated from Growing Lights Christian Academy in Barron, Wisconsin in 1998. She then attended Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College in Rice Lake, Wisconsin for nursing studies. She graduated from Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire, WI from the Surgical Technologist program and went on to work for the next 10 years in surgery. She was employed by the Mayo Clinic Health System for the last 5 years of that time. 

In order to pursue her desire to be a funeral director, she attended and graduated from the Arapahoe Mortuary Science program in Colorado. Anna began her career in funeral service because she feels that she can help and support others in their time of need. 

As a member of the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice, she is committed to life-long learning and excellence in funeral service. Anna has earned her certification as a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP).

Anna and her husband, Jeremy, reside in Merrill, Wisconsin. She is a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. They enjoy spending time with their two wonderful daughters, Kaitlyn and Courtney. As a family, they love to go fishing, bear hunting and deer hunting.  

Samantha was born in Canada and raised in Colorado. She graduated at the top of her class from the mortuary science program in Mesa, Arizona. Samantha has served families in Arizona and Colorado since the completion of her schooling back in 2017.

In October 2019, Samantha married the love of her life, Brandon Finucan, who was raised in Merrill, Wisconsin. They both felt it was time to move back to Brandon’s hometown to be with family and friends. Samantha truly enjoys serving Merrill and surrounding communities.

On her own time, Samantha likes to create special keepsakes for family and friends by using flowers and epoxy resin.

Paul is a native of Merrill and a 1973 graduate of Merrill Senior High School. He is a 1978 graduate of the Mortuary Science program at Milwaukee Area Technical College. During high school, Paul worked for the Schram Funeral Home in Merrill, and in 1976, the previous owner sold the business to Paul and his brothers, Alan and Dean. 

Paul and his wife Missy were married in 1979 and they have three children, Kurt, Matt and Elly. In May 2008, Kurt and his wife Kasi gave Paul and Missy their first grandchild, Konner. 

Paul is a member and past president of the Merrill Rotary club, a member of the Merrill Historical Society and an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Merrill. When he is not busy at the funeral home he enjoys playing guitar and singing, bird hunting and spending time at his cabin or relaxing up north at his trailer. 

“It has been my privilege and honor to serve the Merrill Community in funeral service since 1973. It has always been my goal to serve our families with fairness, dignity, and respect. I owe the Merrill Community a debt of gratitude for allowing me the opportunity to live, work and raise my family here.” 

Nickie grew up in Kansas City, MO, lived in Seattle, WA, for over ten years, and then moved back to the Midwest in 2014. She earned her mortuary science degree from Des Moines Area Community College and is a licensed funeral director in Wisconsin. Nickie has a variety of previous cemetery sales, preneed, and funeral director experience. She finds it very rewarding to provide families with care and compassion at their most vulnerable times.

In the past, Nickie has volunteered with theatre groups and animal rescue groups of all sorts. One of her main hobbies is gardening. Nickie and her partner, Alex, have two dogs: an Australian Shepherd and a Blue Heeler/German Shorthaired Pointer mix.

Megan is originally from Merrill, WI. She has an associate degree in marketing/business administration and also has a Wisconsin Property and Casualty Insurance License.

Helping people has always been important to

Megan. She seeks out opportunities to offer a helping hand wherever needed, such as volunteering for numerous sporting, school, and community events. Megan chose this position with Waid Funeral and Cremation Service because she wanted to be a part of their commitment to care for and serve the Merrill area community.

Megan’s husband of twenty years, Josh Klug, is the Fire Chief for the Merrill Fire Department. Their children are Noah, Kendell, and Jase, and the family also has a beloved labradoodle, Teddy. Megan is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, going to concerts, spending time outdoors, watching her children’s sporting events, and spending time with friends and family. 

Cindy joined the staff at Waid Funeral Home in 2017 and is excited to follow in her father's footsteps in helping families at the funeral home. 

She is a lifelong resident of Merrill, and along with her husband, owns and operates Badger Evergreen. 

Bill was born in Phillips, Wisconsin, on February 14, 1941, and raised in Park Falls, Wisconsin, where he graduated from high school in 1959. He has one brother and four sisters all living in Wisconsin.

After high school, he studied Engineering in a co-op Engineering Program with AC Spark Plug in Oak Creek, Wisconsin as his sponsor. AC Spark Plug was a manufacturer of missile and ship guidance systems. The school he attended was General Motors Institute in Flint Michigan.

In 1965, Bill left AS Spark Plug and joined the Fort Howard Paper Company in Green Bay and spent the next 38 years in various roles in Engineering Disciplines and Maintenance Management in the Paper Industry. He designed converting machines that produced napkins, toilet tissue and paper toweling. He also served as the Engineering Manager on projects which included grassroots mills in Muskogee, Oklahoma and Rincon, Georgia, and expansion and upgrade projects in the mills of Fort Howard, Wisconsin Tissues Mills, Wausau Papers and Ward Paper. He retired as the Manager of Engineering and Maintenance from Wausau Papers, Brokaw, Wisconsin in 2003 and has lived in Merrill since the mid-'80s.

In the mid '70s, he served as a first responder, president and instructor of a volunteer rescue squad that serviced the Towns of Howard, Hobart and Suamico; all located near Green Bay. He is married and has six children and seven grandchildren. He’s been very active in many roles in the churches to which he has belonged. Bill is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Merrill. He’s also a volunteer member of the Advisory Committee for the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC).

In retirement, he enjoys all the activities of the family, especially the individual time spent with children and grandchildren. Other interests that are high on his list are walleye fishing, golf, bird hunting, lawn care and sports. He’s been a Packer fan since 1958 and has grown to enjoy the Brewers as well.

Rod grew up on a family farm about 12 miles northeast of Merrill. From grades 1 through 8, he went to a one room school (Heller) in the town of Schley. In 1963, he graduated from Merrill Senior High School. After graduation, he joined the Wisconsin National Guard for 8 years. Then he worked on road construction for 12 years. He became co-owner of Burgener Contract Carriers and drove semis over the road for several years. He was the Town Chairman for the town of Russell (Gleason area) for 16 years. He now works part-time for Waid Funeral Home where he is able to serve and support people in need.

Rod lives in Merrill.  He has four children, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He is a member of Highland Community church and has served as an usher and greeter for several years.

Jack was born and raised in Merrill, Wisconsin where he graduated from Merrill High School. After high school, he served 2 years in the Army, with one of those years being spent in Vietnam. After getting out of the service, he attended Concordia College in St. Paul, Minnesota. After college, he took a job with the Merrill Police Department where he worked for the next 28 years before retiring in 1999.

While working for the Police Department, Jack and his wife purchased the Guys Shop clothing store and then a few years later, purchased Thelmas clothing store in downtown Merrill. They ran the stores together for 15 years. In 2013, they closed the stores and both retired.

Jack has been married to "the love of his life", Sherry, for over 40 years. They spend much of their time gardening, motorcycling and volunteering at Trinity Church in Merrill. Together they have two children and four grandchildren who help keep them young.

Deb joined the staff at Waid Funeral Home in 2022.  She was born in Chicago, Illinois, grew up in Gleason, Wisconsin and graduated from Merrill High School.  Deb currently lives in Merrill with her husband, Jerry, and they have one son, Andrew.  Deb has worked in healthcare since 1992, in numerous positions.  She is a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in the town of Corning and has been involved with Vacation Bible School, as well as the alter guild.  Deb enjoys reading, camping, tending to her flowers, traveling and spending time with her family and friends.  She decided to join the staff at Waid Funeral Home because she feels that she can provide compassion and support for those needing it after the loss of a loved one, as well as taking care of their loved one.

Mark grew up in Merrill, WI, and graduated from Merrill High School in 1979. He married his wife, Laurie, in 1985 and had two children, Derek and Genna. After graduation, Mark worked for Weinbrenner Shoe Company until leaving in 1986 to work for Lincoln Wood Products. He worked there as a laborer before moving into a department supervisor role and later to an inside sales/customer service position. Mark retired from Lincoln Wood Products after 37 years. 

When approached about the idea of working as a funeral assistant for Waid Funeral Home, he thought it would be a great way to serve the community. Mark is very active at Trinity Lutheran Church, serving as an Elder and assisting the pastor as a liturgist. He enjoys spending time at the gym to stay in shape and helping motivate others to enjoy a fit and healthier life. Mark also enjoys riding motorcycle, snowmobiling, golfing, and, most of all, spending time with his grandchildren.

Traci was born and raised in the Minocqua area, and moved to Merrill in 2012 with her husband, Gerald and their three children, Caleb, Madilyn and Takiyah.  Traci joined the staff at Waid Funeral Home in 2014 and enjoys the opportunity to work with families, as well as, be a support to the staff at Waid.

In her personal time, Traci enjoys reading, playing piano and just spending time with her family and friends.  Traci also enjoys teaching Children's Church and being a part of the worship team at the Prince of Peace Church in Tomahawk, where she and her family are members.

Stephen "Steve" J. Blake joined the staff at Waid Funeral Home in 2012.

He was born in La Crosse and raised in Portage, Wisconsin. After graduating from Portage High School, the family moved to Merrill due to accommodate Steve's father's employment as a conductor for the railroad company.

Steve worked for F.W. Woolworth Company for nine years, ending in 1968. He met his "million dollar baby, Linda Hojan, at the Woolworth store and they were married on September 10th, 1966.

On June 23rd, 1967, Steve and Linda purchased the Club Modern Restaurant while Steve was engaged in Fort Polk, Louisiana. He served nine years in the U.S. Army Reserves, and together, Steve and Linda operated the family business until April 30, 2012.

Linda and Steve were blessed with four sons throughout their marriage; Kevin, Jason, Shannon (deceased 2013) and Darren. They have three grandchildren, Casandra (Casie), Kobe and Azalea, who are all members of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Merrill.