Eileen Virginia Buntrock, 88, of Merrill, passed away October 10, 2020 at Woodland Court Elder Services, LLC. Eileen was born in the Town of Berlin, Marathon County Wisconsin on March 29, 1932 to the late Reinhold and Adela (Schoenherr) Schmidt. She graduated from Merrill High School in 1950. She married Vernon Buntrock on October 7, 1950 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Merrill. Together they raised 3 children and lived originally on Jackson Street, and later north of Merrill. Eileen worked her full career in business office settings at Northern Door, Piper Jaffrey and Hopwood, and Bill’s House of Guns. Eileen and Vern enjoyed traveling all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Spain. They gave their children the gift of many memorable vacation trips, whilst teaching them independence, resourcefulness, and teamwork. Eileen enjoyed cooking, fashion, entertaining at their home and warm hours spent with family and friends playing games and cards. She also enjoyed retirement hobbies of reading, crocheting beautiful afghans and sewing holiday decorations. Eileen truly added grace and style to every aspect of her life. Her warm and wonderful smile that conveyed her love and humor will be missed by many.
Eileen is survived by her children Larry (Heidi) Buntrock of Wautoma, WI; Linda (Ed) Hamel of Thorp, WI; Sue (Dana) Barnhart of Wautoma, WI; five grandchildren: Julie (Matthew) Maas of Beaverton, OR, Maria (Craig) Mulder of Fort Humphreys South Korea, Katie (Jesse) Hoff of Merrill, WI, Kevin Hamel of Milwaukee, WI, Kyle Hamel of Rosholt, WI,; four great grandchildren Tovah and Ezra Maas, and Ileana and Ian Mulder; a brother-in-law Milt (Marion) Buntrock and sister-in-law Donna Buss of Merrill, WI; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Vern in 2016; her parents Reinhold and Adela (Schoenherr) Schmidt (Ringle), parents-in-law Harry and Olga (Oestreich) Buntrock; brother Orville Schmidt; sisters Geneva Endres, Carol Guenther and Donna Winkelman; and brothers-in-law Ralph, Harvey, Roger and Duane Buntrock.
Private family services will be held at a later date. Mid Wisconsin Cremation Society, Schofield is assisting the family with arrangements. The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Polireddy and everyone at Woodland Court Elder Services for their tender loving care. In lieu of flowers we will be setting up a memorial at River Bend Trail in Merrill, WI (https://riverbendtrail.org/make-a-donation/#) or please consider planting a tree in her honor.