Lauri Frank

Lauri Ann Frank, 57, of Merrill, passed away Thursday, June 18, from a very rare form of untreatable cancer. She was a 1970 graduate of Port Edwards High School. Lauri then graduated from U.W. Oshkosh with a degree in Nursing. She married her husband William in Port Edwards Wisconsin on October 4, 1975 and they later moved to Merrill in 1977. Lauri was a registered nurse at Good Samaritan Health Center for many years and later worked at Bell Tower Residence. She also volunteered at St. Vincent’s Free Medical Clinic. Lauri was a member of Christ United Methodist Church in Merrill. She was one of the founding board members for the Lincoln County Humane Society. Lauri was also a member of the Lincoln County Board of Health for a number of years. She received an award from the Commander of The Wisconsin National Guard for her efforts in sending hundreds of care packages to our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Lauri enjoyed gardening, scrapbooking, skiing, traveling, shopping with her girls, family time at the cottage, spending time with her grandchildren, her pets and laughing. Lauri received great joy in helping people in need.

Survivors include her husband, William Frank, Merrill; her mother: Patricia Berklund of Wisconsin Rapids; her daughters: Abigail (Ron) Perrott of Rolla, MO; Elizabeth (Jeffry) Mertens of Neshkoro, WI; and Angela Frank of Merrill. One son: Christopher Franke of Minneapolis MN, one brother: Thomas (Susan) Berklund of Biron WI; one grandson: Christian Belgram of Rolla, MO; and one step-grand daughter: Kayla Perrott of Rolla, MO.

Lauri was preceded in death by her father, Bruno Berklund, and her son, William Jr.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be given to 2 of the families’ favorite charities: the Lincoln County Humane Society and St. Baldrick’s Children’s Cancer Fund.

Services will be held on Saturday, June 20 at 11:00 AM at Christ United Methodist Church. Visitation will be Friday, June 19 from 4 – 8 PM at Waid Funeral Home and on Saturday from 10:00 until the time of service at the church. The Rev. Don Entenman will officiate, with burial to follow at Merrill Memorial Park. Online condolences may be made at www.waidfuneral.com . The Waid Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.