Merry Lynn Vesely, 82 of Portage, WI passed away January 27, 2026 at Aspirus Hospital in Portage.

Merry was born December 23, 1943, at Divine Savior Hospital in Portage Wisconsin, to Elmer and Margret (Doepke) Vesely. Merry was born into a family filled with love and laughter.  She had many fond memories of times spent exploring the Wisconsin River.  The Wisconsin River was her refuge where she would run and hide when it was her turn to do the dishes.  As a child, Merry loved filling her pockets with pfeffernusse to go ice skating in the winter, going to Holmes Grocery Store for popsicles in the spring, swimming and fishing all summer and enjoying a crackling bon fire in the fall.   

Merry had a generous heart.  She was creative and was exceptional at painting ceramics and had an eye for home decorating.   

Merry was blessed with the love of her four children. In 1999 Merry became the adult care provider for Francis Lance Packard. Francis quickly became part of Merry’s family. Merry cared for Francis until she was no longer physically able to care for him in 2024. In this life, Merry experienced numerous challenges both personally and physically.  Merry ability to look at every obstacle she faced and be able to figure out a solution is one of her trademarks.  

Merry is survived by her children Tim (Carol) Hamilton, Janel (Bart) Nickel, John (Wendy) Hamilton and Kelly (Glen Broomfield) McMahon; grandchildren, great grandchildren.  She is also survived by her brother Dennis Vesely, sisters Barbra Gerstenkorn, and Ellen (Edward) Kabele; several nieces, nephews and friends. Merry will be greeted in heaven by her father and mother, Elmer and Margaret Vesely, her sister Nora Fahey, brother in-laws Tom Fahey, Robert Gerstenkorn, and sister in-law Dianne Vesely.  

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, January 31, 2026 from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Achterberg Archery / Pardeeville Sports Club 22, N6759 State Road 22, Pardeeville, WI

I'd like the memory of me
to be a happy one,
I'd like to leave an afterglow
of smiles when life is done.
I'd like to leave an echo
whispering softly down the ways,
of happy times and laughing times
and bright and sunny days.
I'd like the tears of those who grieve,
to dry before the sun of happy memories
that I leave behind when day is done.