Joanne Merrifield

Joanne E. Merrifield, age 83, of Dairyland, WI passed away peacefully at home on Friday, August 7, 2015. Joanne was born in Minneapolis, MN, on January 11, 1932, daughter of the late Gilbert and Merle “Pate” (Best) Carlson. She resided in Minneapolis with her family, attending local public schools including North High School. On September 3, 1959, Joanne married Ralph “Tex” Merrifield at Trinity Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. They have celebrated over 55 years of marriage together residing primarily in Minneapolis and Maple Grove. During the 1960s and 1970s, Joanne worked at Munsingwear and then at REO Plastics. In 1970, Joanne and Ralph bought 40 acres in Dairyland Township known as "The 40." They had trailers and campers on the land at first. The kids and grandkids would all come up for the weekends and take vacations there. In 1983 they built a garage with a bunk house and in 1987 they built their first house on their land. Joanne and Ralph retired up at "The 40" in 1992, and over the next two years built an addition to the house and added a pole barn to the property. Joanne was raised with the belief to be home to raise her children and instill in them a strong sense of values and a good work ethic. Anyone who knew Joanne and Ralph knew of their great love for animals. They raised ducks in the pond that they had put in the back of "The 40." They tried to draw other animals to the pond area as well. There are two turtles that live there now, both named Florence. As the years passed, Joanne and Ralph would foster kittens and puppies from the Washburn County Area Humane Society. Fostering the kittens and puppies was a big part of her life, and they meant the world to her. She also enjoyed raising baby squirrels, feeding the hummingbirds and deer. For several years, Joanne was active helping revive the Northland Community Center. She and others worked diligently at its restoration and helped raise funds for its support. Joanne was active in bake sales, raffles, saving aluminum cans to sell, and helping at pancake breakfasts and hunter suppers. She would also recruit her daughter and granddaughter to help out at the pancake breakfasts. Joanne was also an avid gamer. She was actually very good at it, and could beat her kids and grandkids at the games. Even in her last days the family would sit on the couch together and take turns on different levels so she could rest in between. Joanne always loved having the grandchildren visit. She liked to play records and take four wheeler rides with them. She tried to always have red hot jawbreakers and anise candy in her pocket to share with the grandkids. Preceding her in death are her parents, Merle “Pate” and Gilbert Carlson; and sister-in-law, Evelyn Carlson. Joanne is survived by Ralph, her husband of over 55 years; daughter, Carol J. (Randy) Pierson; son, Steven C. (Nancy) Merrifield; six grandchildren: Brian (Kathryn) Merrifield, Kevin (Maritza) Merrifield, Jason (Kara) Merrifield, David (Yoshie “Veronica”) Merrifield, Darren (Kristen) Heimbuch, and Dana (Michael) Wills; sixteen great-grandchildren: brother, Warren T. Carlson; and two nephews. The funeral service for Joanne Merrifield will be conducted at 1:00 pm (visitation 12:00 to 1:00 pm), Saturday August 15, 2015, at Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster, WI. Interment will be in River Hill Cemetery, Dairyland. A reception will follow the services at Northland Community Center. Casket bearers are: Brian Merrifield, Jason Merrifield, Dylan Merrifield, David Merrifield, Darren Heimbuch, and Michael Wills. The family has requested flowers be omitted as Joanne's most ardent request was that she receive no flowers. Because of Joanne's love of animals, memorial contributions in her memory are to be sent to Washburn County Area Humane Society, 1400 Cottonwood Avenue, Spooner, WI 54801 (www.wcahs.com).