Robert Merila

Robert “Bob” aka “Butch” Merila, 85, longtime Lakeside Township resident, and residing in the City of Superior for the last few years, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Thursday, November 30, 2023. He was born in Superior, February 4, 1938, the son of Aaron and Ayla (Kokkonen) Merila.

Bob graduated from Central High School in Superior, class of 1956. He went on to honorably serve his country in the United States Army. During his enlistment Bob served several years in active duty and continued his service in the Superior National Guard before retiring after twenty years of dedication to his country.

Bob was united in marriage to Edith Montero on October 13, 1967, in Panama, and they recently celebrated fifty-six years of marriage before his passing. Over the years, Bob and Edith enjoyed their time together traveling and seeing the world. Every year they would visit Los Cabos, Mexico, and every other year they would add to their experiences by traveling to a new destination.

Bob worked for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for twenty-five years before his retirement.

Active in his community, Bob also served as supervisor for the Town of Lakeside for several years and generously dedicated his time coaching the Lakeside Little League baseball team, which he truly enjoyed.

In his free time, Bob enjoyed the outdoors hunting and fishing from his boat “Fishy Finn”, and as is customary to his proud Finnish heritage, he thoroughly enjoyed his saunas and was also an avid Green Bay Packers fan. Most of all, Bob loved spending time with his family and friends. He especially enjoyed sharing dinners with his family and friends at Dreamland Supper Club where he spent every Friday night until becoming ill. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend and will be dearly missed by all who knew him!

He is survived by his beloved wife, Edith Merila, Superior, WI; daughters, Grace Line, Duluth, MN, Gina (Donald) Norman, Wascott, WI, Debra (Andrew) Frostman, Oulu, WI; sons, Joseph Merila, Oulu, WI, Roberto Laniado, Minneapolis, MN, and Michael (Lisa) Piller, Superior, WI; grandchildren, Jessica Laniado, Kerry (Kate) Line, Jr., Preston (Maranda) Line, Derek (Jennifer) Pearson, Alex (Lindsey Statler) Pearson, Jordan (Mercedes) Rhodes, Jesse (Leena Tuura) Frostman, Jaime (Chad) Johnson, Jospeh Neigebauer, Jennifer Laniado, Robert Laniado, Ryan (Hanna) Laniado, Riley (Justice) Laniado, Michael Piller, and Devin Piller; eighteen great-grandchildren; sister, Loretta Peterson; brother, Gordon (Phyllis) Merila, and several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his son, Sean, and his parents.

Visitation will begin at 12:00 PM, Sunday, December 10, 2023, at the Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home, 1209 E. 5th Street, Superior, and will continue until the 2:00 PM Funeral Service with Pastor Darrell Nelson of Mission Covenant Church officiating. Immediately following the service, Military Honors will be accorded by the Richard I. Bong American Legion Post #435 Honor Guard.

Pallbearers for the service will be Joe Merila, Roberto Laniado, Preston Line, Quintyn Henderson, Donny Norman, and Dan Patterson

Private Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery at a later date.

To leave a condolence or sign the guestbook, please visit www.lenroot-maetzold.com.