Obituary of Merlin Marti

Merlin J. "Bud" Marti, age 88, of Wisconsin Rapids, passed away on Wednesday, May 13, 2015 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, May 18, 2015 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids. Rev. John Grohs will officiate. Entombment will be at the Forest Hill Mausoleum. Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Sunday at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids and from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services on Monday at the church. Merlin was born February 9, 1927 in the Wood County Town of Sherry to Matt and Louise (Sengstock) Marti. He married Joyce Zuege on July 13, 1946 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids. The couple met on the dance floor of the Sherry Town Hall. They were blessed with 68 years of marriage and three daughters. Bud was employed with Consolidated Papers Inc. for 41 years as a Pipe Fitter and later in management until his retirement at the age of 60. Bud sold Mutual Service Insurance at night for 25 years to better provide for his family. Bud and Joyce enjoyed many years of retirement together and spent the last 11 years wintering in Tuscan, Arizona where they enjoyed living on a golf course and hitting the green almost every day. Bud enjoyed traveling and taking family vacations. He enjoyed snowmobiling and was a snowmobile instructor for many years. Bud and Joyce were instructors of the 55 and Alive class. Bud was an avid bowler and enjoyed attending tournaments around the country. Bud is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Joyce; daughter, Robin (Randy) Mrozinski of Wisconsin Rapids and their children Derrick (Shayna) Mrozinski of Madison, WI and Dustin (Erin) Mrozinski of Jefferson, WI; daughter, Kathleen Marti of Wisconsin Rapids; daughter, Brenda Baerwald of Hortonville, WI and her children: Michelle Waite of Kaukauna, WI, Wendie (Bob) Kronser of New London, WI, and Michael Waite, and her step-children: Laurie Elliot and Chad (Jeanette) Baerwald of Hortonville, WI; great-grandchildren: Megan and Melissa Kronser and Carson Mrozinski; step-great-grandchildren: Logan and Maggie Elliott, and Collin and Morgan Baerwald; sisters, Betty (Gene) Szelagowski and Shirley (Gordan) Pavlik of Wisconsin Rapids; sisters-in-law: Ingrid Marti, Ines Neufeld , Betty Tuxhorn, and Lynette Wilson, and brothers-in-law: Elton (Elaine) Zuege and Ronald Zuege all of Wisconsin Rapids; as well as many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Matt and Louise Marti, siblings: Reuben (Evelyn) Marti, Harold Marti, Orville Marti, Dorothy (Jim) Serchen, Viola (George) Passineau, and Marvin (Alice) Marti; father-in-law and mother-in-law Martin and Minni Zuege; brothers-in-law: Delton Zuege, Delbert Tuxhorn and Russell Wilson; sisters-in-law Dorothy (Walter) Manz and Lucille (Florian) Aschenburg; and son-in-law Fred Baerwald.