Roger Merry

Roger C. Merry, 81, a loving father and grandfather passed away in his home on Thursday, October 12, 2023.

He was born on June 11, 1942, to the late Charles and Anne (Tronnes) Merry, in Duluth, MN. When Roger was 13, he moved to Kelly Lake, MN, where he attended Hibbing High School, graduating in 1960.  Upon graduation, he joined the United States Armed Forces, serving in the U.S. Navy as a medic aboard the USS Thompson LSD-28.  Roger served his country from February 23, 1962 until June 21, 1965.  After his time in the Navy, Roger studied at the University of Minnesota - Duluth, where he graduated with a degree in speech therapy in 1969. Roger married Jacqueline Holm on August 2, 1969, and together they had three daughters. They divorced in 1990 and he never remarried. In the early 1980's he received his Master's Degree in speech pathology from the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point.  Roger went on to work for the Wausau School District as a speech therapist, from September 1969 until his retirement in 1999.   

In his spare time Roger enjoyed being outdoors, tending to his gardens and taking daily walks through Marathon Park with his beloved dog Sophie. He had a passion for collecting and working on anything with an engine. During his summers he spent time painting homes in the Wausau area. A self taught guitar player, he enjoyed all genres of music. What brought him the most joy in life was his grandchildren.

Roger is survived by his children,  Rachael (Angie) Merry, Catherine (Dan) Check, and Andrea (Larry) Rineck; his grandchildren Madeline, Lydia, Gwenyth, Jack and Lillian, along with many nieces and nephews. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Charles H. and Anne Merry; his brothers, Charles  (Karen) Merry, Allen (Jean) Merry; as well as his sister, Sharyn (Richard) Franzinelli; as well as a niece, Denise Merry Miller and a nephew, Kelly Olson.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at 12:00 p.m., at Brainard Funeral Home in Wausau.  A visitation will take place from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the funeral home.  Military Honors will take place immediately after the service, with a private family burial to follow.