Thomas “Swamp” Francis Merth, age 86, of Turtle Lake, Wisconsin, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025 at Barron Care & Rehab surrounded by his girls. He was born May 16, 1939, in Clayton, Wisconsin to Frank and Frances (Carr) Merth.
Tom was born in a farmhouse east of Clayton on County Road D and was the second of nine children. The family relocated and he was raised on the home farm south of Turtle Lake. He attended White Clover School through eighth grade and graduated from Turtle Lake High School. He was drafted into the US Army in 1962. From there, his journey continued. He may not have attended 4 p.m. Mass but he attended many 9 a.m. church services just a couple miles south of his home on Sunday mornings. The fellowship brought many new faces to our home for meals and holidays. Those friends became extended family.
Tom and Mom (Marge Miller) married on Sept. 15, 1962. Together they raised four children: Lori, Terry, Kim and Cheryl “Punk”. They later divorced, but their love and friendship for one another never ended. Several years later, Marge Frederick became part of his life and they shared many years and memories together.
Swamp’s work ethic was not found in one career and he wore many hats. It included farming, school bus driver, working for the Town of Turtle Lake, and retiring from Lunda Construction as a carpenter.
Along his journey, Swamp had a love for the outdoors which included hunting with his redbone hounds. He had a special place in his heart for his farm animals. Prior to his stroke in 2009, you often found him playing Dirty Clubs or involved in a good round of liar’s dice at one of his favorite local establishments surrounded by many friends. He took great pride in being a member of the Turtle Lake American Legion Post 137.
Swamp certainly left his mark on earth! His Irish Setter boots are going to be hard to fill. Anywhere you went, someone always knew him and had a story to tell, kind words expressing what kind of guy he was, or talked about a shenanigan or prank he might have pulled. If you knew our dad before his stroke, he may have been late or not even shown for his own funeral – but after…he became an expert clock watcher, pointing out if you were late.
Tom is survived by his children, Lori (Brad) Moen of Turtle Lake, Terry Merth of Minneapolis, Kimberly Eder of Turtle Lake, and Cheryl (Kurt) Bussewitz of Clayton; six grandchildren, Jami (Nick) Shulz, Amber Bever (Paul Drees), Hunter Moen, Dusty Eder (Morgan Yeske), Jensyn (Jerrad) Lindfors, and Jaedyn Bussewitz; and great-grandchildren, Blake and Bennett Bever, Landon, Kenzi and Logan Shulz, and Ryan Eder. Also, his bonus grandchildren, Jen (Joe) Styer family and Jason (April) Moen family; siblings, Betty Peer family, Jim (Nada) Merth family, Jerry Webber family, Peggy (Dick) Smith family, Pat (Pauline) Merth family, Mike (Sondie) Merth family, Mary Kay (Ray Buhr) family, and Karen (Jim) Kuntz family; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and other family and friends.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Frances Merth; sister, Shirley Weber; brothers-in-law, Stan Peer and Ric Buhr; and Mom, (Marge); as well as many relatives and friends.
A Memorial Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at Skinner Funeral Home, Turtle Lake, Wisconsin, with visitation four hours prior, from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. To honor our dad’s legacy, don’t be afraid to wear your favorite work boots, jeans, flannel, and your favorite cap.
Interment will be at Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner, Wisconsin, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30.
Honorary pallbearers are his grandchildren, Jami Shulz, Amber Bever, Hunter Moen, Dusty Eder, Jensyn Lindfors and Jaedyn Bussewitz; and his sons-in-law, Brad Moen, Tracy Eder and Kurt Bussewitz.
Skinner Funeral Home of Turtle Lake is serving the family.
