All Obituaries

Stephen “Steve” J. Schmidt, age 69, passed away peacefully on June 7, 2021, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital following a strong battle against leukemia. He was born March 2, 1952 in Merrill, Wisconsin, to the late Art and Phyllis (Kleinschmidt) Schmidt.   Steve grew up in the Merrill and Wausau areas where he and his siblings probably raised more Cain than crops on their family farm.  After high school graduation, he went on to NTC for Residential Design.  Steve...

Our beloved mother, Lois Ann (Lambrecht) Wendorf, walked into the loving arms of Jesus on Sunday, June 6, 2021.  Lois was born 94 years ago on March 12, 1927. Lois graduated from Merrill High School and shortly thereafter married the love of her life, Darroll Wendorf, on June 15, 1946.  Together, they committed their lives to Jesus in 1950.   Mom lived a simple, honorable life and we have no doubt she was greeted with the words “well done, good and faithful...

David J. Finanger passed from this earthly life at Pine Crest Nursing Home on June 2, 2021.  He was born September 22, 1927, in LaCrosse, WI to Earl and Beatrice (Peterson) Finanger.  At age 12 his family moved to Wauwatosa, WI where Dave graduated from Wauwatosa High School in 1945.   He completed one semester at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN before being drafted in the US Army Air Force in 1945 where he served as a cryptographer stationed in Alaska.  After his...

Jeanette Marie Jensen, 86, of Irma, Wisconsin, passed away on May 26, 2021 at Ascension Good Samaritan Hospital in Merrill, Wisconsin. On July 8, 1934, Jeanette was born to Elmer R. Nicklaus and Jesse M. Cottrell Nicklaus at the Kelly House, in Merrill, Wisconsin, delivered by her grandmother, Helena Nicklaus. In December of 1952, Jeanette met her future husband, Wilhelm “Bill” Jensen, of 65 years, while Bill was picking up his mother and grandmother from Vic...

Leslie “Les” Sabatke, 84, of Merrill, WI, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at the Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Les was born on February 4, 1937, to Leslie Sabatke Sr. and Ella Jaeger in the Town of Scott, WI. On June 16, 1956, Les married his love and joy, Pearl Porath, in the Town of Maine, WI. They would have been celebrating their 65th anniversary in June. Les enlisted in the National Guard. During this time, he was stationed at Camp McCoy. In 2015 he was...

Darlene Dawn (Gotter) Kasper, age 86, of Merrill, Wisconsin, passed away on Sunday, May 16, 2021 at Bell Tower Residence in Merrill, Wisconsin. Darlene was born on March 9, 1935 in Loyal, Wisconsin to Elmer and Elsie (Strey) Gotter. Darlene married Vernon H. Kasper on February 2, 1952 in Loyal, Wisconsin. After residing in Abbotsford, Wisconsin for several years, Vern and Darlene moved to Merrill, Wisconsin where they co-owned Kasper Stationery and Office Supply for 14 years. After which,...

Tammy Lou Zerbe, age 59, of Neillsville, Wisconsin passed away unexpectedly on Friday, May 14, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She was born on March 31, 1962 in Merrill, Wisconsin to Wayne and Judith (Graap) Nelson. On July 8, 1978, Tammy married the love of her life, Dale Zerbe. She spent most of her life working in factories. Most recently, she worked at a manufacturing plant where she built filters. Tammy was a quiet individual, who loved everyone, and everyone loved her. She had a heart...

Darrell D. Hass, age 61, passed away on Thursday, May 13, 2021, at the Aspirus Wausau Hospital, after a short illness and while surrounded by his loving family.  He was born on June 22, 1959 to Roger and Janean (Haehlke) Hass in Wausau, WI.  Darrell attended Merrill High School and graduated with the class of 1977.  He was employed at Semco in Merrill for 33 years, where he would work with glass and help out in the paint booth.  Darrell was an avid Green Bay Packers fan...

Theodore ‘Teddy’ Robert Bartz, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Merrill, on Thursday, May 13, 2021, at the age of 63. He was born on August 2, 1956 to Robert and Audrey (Ball) Bartz in Elkhorn, WI. Ted attended and graduated from Elkhorn High School and went on to complete a welding apprenticeship, he then became a part of his Local 434 pipefitter union. He married Kathy Maki and together they had a son, Robert Bartz. Ted then met and married Deborah Scharnow, and the...

Michael L. Rodriguez, age 63, of Merrill, passed away on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at the Aspirus Wausau Hospital.  He was born on November 14, 1957 to the late Louis and Carol (Black) Rodriguez in Bellflower, California.  Michael has spent the last 11 years will his soul mate, Sharon Glatczak. Michael was a painter by trade and painted the interior of many public buildings in the Merrill and Wausau areas, including the inside of the T.B. Scott mansion.  He adored his...