Carolee ‘Carol’ Jean Grund, age 87, of Merrill, passed away on Sunday, November 22, 2020 at the Aspirus Hospital in Medford, WI.  Carol was born on September 27, 1933 to the late Harold J. and Lillian E. (Bentz) Sagstetter in Wausau, WI.  Carol attended St Marys and graduated from Wausau High School, and then went on to work as a bookkeeper at a local brewery.  She met Robert (Bob) Allen Grund, and the two exchanged marriage vows on June 2, 1956 in Wausau.  Sadly, he preceded her in death in 2008. Carol and Bob were the owners of Grund’s Bar in Merrill for many years. There they made not only acquaintances but 100’s of friends. Hardworking Carol also knew how to have fun, many birthday parties, holiday get togethers were held at their house. She enjoyed watching the Packers and Badgers Football and when able made it to many of the kids and grandkids events.  She also had a sensitive side and believed in human rights for all. She loved nature and was generous with donations for her important causes. Carol lived in and maintained her house and yard to the end. She took great pride in being a very independent person. Her past time included keeping up with national and world news through magazines, books and TV.  Carol was a bit of a history buff and so appreciated the generations before her.  In the younger days Carol and Bob did some traveling and enjoyed their Florida winter home.

Carol was a wonderful mom, caring and very level headed.  Carol will be missed by her 6 children: Patricia (David) Van Der Geest of Merrill, Bobbi Grund of Merrill, Thomas (DeeDe) Grund of Merrill, Jean (Ronald) Romatoski of Rhinelander, James (Micel) Grund of Indianapolis, Indiana and Carrie (Dickie) Heckendorf of Merrill, 16 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband: Robert, 3 brothers: Gerald, Elwood and Richard Sagstetter and 2 sister-in-laws: Viola  Loraine and Ingie.

A private funeral service for Carol will be held on Saturday, November 28, 2020 at the Northwoods Veterans Post in Merrill at 10am.  Pastor Greg Laska will provide support to the family.  A public visitation will follow from 11am-2pm.   Carol’s family would like to extend their deepest appreciation and thanks to the Wausau and Medford Aspirus Hospitals and their staff for all their care and compassion that was shown to Carol during her care there.  Donations may be directed in Carol’s name to the Lincoln County Humane Society, because of her love of animals.  The family wishes to thank the staff at Aspirus Hospital in Wausau and Medford for the excellent care and attention that their mother received.  Waid Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.waidfuneral.co