Deanna L. Merfeld

BLOOMINGTON – With profound sadness and grateful hearts, we celebrate the life of Deanna Merfeld who passed away peacefully at the age of 88. Born on September 21, 1937, in East Dubuque, Illinois, Deanna spent most of her life in Bloomington, Wisconsin, where she built a home filled with faith, love, creativity and family.

Deanna was married to Bob Merfeld until his passing in 1993. Though his life ended far too soon, their love, devotion, and faith remained an enduring example to their family. Together they raised six children, creating a home where everyone was welcome, encouraged and loved unconditionally.

A devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Deanna dedicated her life to her family. Nothing brought her greater joy than watching her children and grandchildren grow. She celebrated every milestone, offered endless encouragement, and made each member of her family feel uniquely loved. Her greatest legacy lives on through the lives of those she nurtured with unwavering patience, wisdom, grace and faith.

Deanna’s deep Catholic faith was the cornerstone of her life. As a longtime member of St. Mary’s Church, she lived her faith each day through daily mass, quiet service, compassion, generosity and prayer. Her trust in God sustained her through life’s joys and sorrows and inspired those around her.

Gifted with remarkable talents, she loved reading, baking and crafting. She was an accomplished seamstress, a gifted calligrapher and a skilled stain-glass and mosaic artist. Her handmade gifts will forever be treasured by those that received them.

Deanna also believed deeply in the value of education and graduated first in her college class. She served her community through her work as a substitute teacher.

She is lovingly survived by her children: Dan (Carol), Steve (Mary Jo), Jim (Tammy Leamy), Tom (Andi), Anne (Chris) Vandergriff and John (Heather) Merfeld; 13 grandchildren: David, Lauren, Andrew, Kim, Katie, Jacob, Nick, Mitch, Abby, Ellie, Morgan, Brandon and Molly; four great-grandchildren: Hayden, Taylor, Logan and Jordyn; honorary grandchildren: Owen and Reid Price; sister, LaVonne (Mike) Eckert; sister-in-law, Janice Yagla; many nieces and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Bob.

The Merfeld family would like to extend a special thank you to Michelle and the staff at Crossing Rivers and Kim and the staff at Grant County Hospice for their outstanding, compassionate care of Deanna.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, September 4, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bloomington. A parish rosary will be held on Friday at 10:30 a.m. at the church. In lieu of plants and flowers, memorials may he given to St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Bloomington, The Hope Lodge – American Cancer Society, Omaha, NE, or Grant County Hospice. Kramer-Grau Funeral Homes & Crematory in Bloomington is assisting the family.