Raymond J. Merfeld

Raymond John Merfeld, 82, of La Crosse, Wis., died Sunday, May 18, 2014, at Mayo Health System, La Crosse, Wis. He was born in La Crosse, Wis., on November 22, 1931, to John Henry and Ellen Anna (Strong) Merfeld. He married Burdeen Marilyn Wilder on Feb. 7, 1959, at St. John’s Catholic Church, La Crosse, Wis.

He retired from McLoone Metal Graphics at the age of 65. He enjoyed fishing trips to Canada. He also enjoyed deer, turkey, and goose hunting, gardening, and collecting coins. He especially loved the company of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Burdeen of La Crosse, Wis., three daughters; Jane (Brian) Hanson, Pam Kaiser, and Marcia (Doug) Gourley all of La Crosse, Wis. Five grandchildren; Ben (Erin) Hanson, Emily (Shawn) Gallagher, Jenny (Nathan) Hemmersbach, Angie Kaiser and Pete Kaiser. Four great-grandchildren; Aubriell McCoy, Conner Gallagher, Ellie Hanson and Lacey Hemmersbach. He is further survived by two sisters; Janice (Jim) Jungen of Durango, Colo., and Phyllis Schmidt of La Crosse, Wis.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters; Marian Olloff, Darlene Weber, Jean Miller, Dorothy Christen, three brothers; Donald, William and Gerald “Pete” Merfeld.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM Friday, May 23, 2014, at St. James the Less Catholic Church, 1032 Caledonia St., La Crosse, Wis. Rev. Robert Schaller will officiate with entombment to be held in the St. Francis of Assisi Mausoleum in the Catholic Cemetery, La Crosse, Wis. Family and friends may call from 4 to 8:00 PM on Thursday at the Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Home-Nelson Chapel, 1007 Caledonia St., La Crosse, Wis. Family and friends may also call from 9:00 AM until the time of Mass in the church on Friday.

Memorials are preferred.