Daniel Merriam Obituary

Merriam, Daniel Bruhy 10-29-1925 2-17-2008 Father, husband, attorney, friend. Born in West Bend, Wisconsin to Arthur and Celeste, youngest of three boys. Hoping to become a pilot, Dan joined the Navy at age 17 after graduating from high school, where he eventually served as a turret gunner on a Grumman TBM Avenger, taking off and landing on the carrier escort ship the USS Fanshaw Bay. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin Madison in 1951 and began his law practice in Ladysmith that year. In November of 1951, Dan married Elaine Doland of Columbus Wisconsin, whom he had met while both attended the University. Dan's law practice lasted for 40 years, he served as district attorney for four of those years and when he retired he became a Rusk County Family Court Commissioner. He was a Boy Scout leader and a member of many community organizations. He enjoyed traveling, and took many trips across the US, to Europe, Africa and Mexico with friends and family. Summers were spent at Pulaski Lake, teaching his daughters to water ski, sail and fish. He also made the most of northern Wisconsin winters hunting and skiing. Dan enjoyed a good Manhattan, good music, (especially jazz), and a good joke. Elaine died in 1996 and Dan is survived by his three daughters, Christine Merriam of Henderson, Nevada, Gail Merriam of Saint Paul, Minnesota and Ann Merriam of Holcombe, Wisconsin, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 8 at 2PM at the LADYSMITH CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, 109 Lake Avenue East. Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers.