Mervin S. Bresee, of Fennimore, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Wednesday January 29, 2020 at Divine Rehabilitation and Nursing in Fennimore, WI. He was born on September 25, 1935 at home in Harrison Township near Platteville, WI, the son of LaVerne and Dorothy (Bisbach) Bresee. He attended Platteville Schools where he completed 8th grade and went on to work to help support his mom and siblings. In 1954, he joined the United States Army at the age of 19. During this time, he married his forever sweetheart, Marion Russell. Together, they had three children.
Merv worked various jobs throughout his life including working as a farm hand, coal miner, bricklayer, driving school bus, delivering for Meals on Wheels, and managing at Stout’s (known as IGA). After 10 years of managing at Stout’s, Merv purchased City Foods grocery store in 1970, owning it for 14 years. He was a member of the Fennimore Chamber of Commerce and volunteered for the Fennimore Fire Department for many years. In 1985, Merv and Marion purchased Merv’s Liquor Store until retiring in 1995. Shortly afterwards, Merv became bored with retirement and quickly found work at Fennimore Foods/Benders. For fun, Merv and Marion enjoyed yearly trips to Branson, day trips with Roger and Naomi Kingery, playing cards with friends and family, and spending their time fishing at their cabin in Bagley, WI. He also enjoyed many fishing trips with his brothers. Merv was always offering up a dish of ice cream to the grandkids and even offering a trip uptown for a cone or shake.
Merv is survived by his three children; Marcus (Jill) Bresee of Fennimore, Peggy (Randy) Beach of Mt. Hope, and Penny (Tim) Biba of Boscobel, 10 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren.
Merv was preceded in death by his wife, Marion, parents, and three siblings; Elden Bresee, Beverly Cole, and Roger Bresee.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 P.M. on Sunday, February 2, 2020 at the Larson Family Funeral Home in Fennimore. Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M until the time of service at the funeral home on Sunday. A burial of cremated remains will be held at the Prairie Cemetery in Fennimore at a later date. The family would like to thank Grant County Hospice for all their support during this difficult time.