Russell L. Sukow, 69, of Merrill, died Monday, January 21, 2013, at Ministry Good Samaritan Health Center, Merrill.
Russ was born May 25, 1943, in Merrill, son of Lester and Elaine (Doering) Sukow, Merrill. He married Cecilia Heuser on February 13, 1965 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Merrill. She survives. Russ had worked for Drott/J.I. Case in Schofield for 22 years. He retired as controller at Merrill Manufacturing Corp., Merrill. Russ attended elementary school at St. Francis Catholic School in Merrill. He was a 1961 graduate of Merrill Senior High School, and was a member of the last hockey team the school sponsored. Russ then attended Northcentral Technical College, and graduated with a degree in accounting. Russ was a member of the Merrill Bowling Hall of Fame, and has a 300 game to his credit. He was an avid golfer and was proud of his “hole in one”. Russ was well known throughout the area as an excellent pool shoot, and won many tournaments over the years. He excelled in baseball and fast pitch softball, and had played with the “Merrill Giants”, “Les’s Sport Shop”, and in numerous other leagues. Russ also coached both softball and hockey. Favorite pastimes for Russ included spending time at the family cabin in Gleason, riding his new 4-wheeler, yearly trips to Wyoming, casino trips, morning coffee at Willie’s Tire Center in Merrill, the Green Bay Packer, Wisconsin Badgers, and the Milwaukee Brewers. Russ was a life member of the N.R.A., Merrill Eagle’s Club, Knights of Columbus, Lincoln County Sports Club, North American Hunting Club, the United States Bowling Congress, and had served in the National Guard for six years.
Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Cecilia Sukow, of Merrill; his parents, Lester and Elaine Sukow, Merrill; two daughters, Carrie (Dan) Barz, of Merrill, and Cammie (Mike) Schielke, of Gleason; five grandchildren, Abby and Austyn Barz, and Dylan, Dayne, and Dani Schielke; one sister, Michelle Sukow, of Merrill; two brothers, Sid (Eva) Sukow, and Brian ‘Mort’ (Linda) Sukow, both of Merrill; and two nieces, Lori (Tom) Munson, of Minnesota, and Amy (Russ) Kitsembel, of Wausau.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, January 26, 2013, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Merrill. Father Michael McLain will preside. Burial will take place in St. Francis Catholic Cemetery with military rites conducted by V.F.W. Post 1638, Merrill. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Friday at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill.
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com