Lester W. ‘Les’ Sukow, 98, of Merrill, passed away on Sunday, August 25, 2019 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital with his family by his side. Les was born February 11, 1921 in Merrill, son of the late William and Vallie Sukow, Sr. He married Elaine Doering on October 10, 1942. She survives. Les was a 1939 graduate of Merrill Senior High School. He served in the U.S. Army from 1942 until his honorable discharge in 1945. He was stationed in the Philippines during World War II and had attained the rank of Private 1st Class. Les, along with his son Brian, participated in the Never Forgotten Honor Flight in 2012. Les was the former owner/operator of both Les’s Sport Shop on Merrill’s eastside, and Les’s Sport & Cycle on Merrill’s westside. He retired in 1983. Les was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Merrill. He was also a member of the American Legion, Merrill V.F.W. Post 1638, and Merrill Eagle’s Club. Les enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, bowling, picking berries, cutting firewood, and golfing right up to the age of 92. But most of all, Les enjoyed spending time with his family, especially at their cabin in the Town of Russell.
Les is survived by his wife Elaine Sukow, Merrill; two sons, Sidney (Eva) Sukow and Brian ‘Mort’ (Linda) Sukow, both of Merrill; his daughter-in-law, Cecilia Sukow, Merrill; four granddaughters, Carrie (Dan) Barz and Cammie Schielke, both of Merrill, Lori (Tom) Munson, Cottage Grove, Minnesota, and Amy (Russ) Kitsembel, Rib Mountain; and seven great grandchildren, Hannah, Nicholas, Austyn, Abby, Dylan, Dayne, and Danielle. Besides his parents, Les is preceded in death by his son, Russell Sukow in 2013; his beloved daughter, Michelle Sukow in 2016; and four brothers, Melvin, Norman, Reno, and Rusty (William, Jr).
A Funeral Liturgy for Lester W. Sukow will be held at 12:00 P.M., Noon, Thursday, August 29, 2019 at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill. Burial will follow in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery, Merrill with graveside military rites conducted by the Merrill V.F.W. Post 1638 Honor Guard. Visitation will begin at 10:00 A.M. Thursday at the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Lincoln County Humane Society or St. Francis Xavier Catholic School, Merrill.