Gloria J "Steen" Merhalski
Gloria J "Steen" Merhalski
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Gloria Merhalski Obituary
Gloria was born on November 17, 1940, in Washburn, Wisconsin, the daughter of the late Enard and Alice (Sirois) Steen. She was a 1958 graduate of Washburn High School, earned her bachelor's degree from Northland College, and later received her master's degree from Northern Michigan University in 1986.
Gloria devoted forty years to teaching elementary school in Florence, a career she truly loved. She found great joy in the classroom and in the many lives she touched along the way.
On October 10, 1963, Gloria married Robert Merhalski at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Florence. Together, they built a loving home and raised three children.
A woman of deep faith, Gloria was an active and devoted member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. She enjoyed teaching CCD, participating in Bible study, and attending Cursillo retreats and pilgrimages around the world. She generously gave her time volunteering at St. Vincent de Paul and at the church.
Gloria had a lifelong love of music-she enjoyed playing, singing, and dancing. She played the piano, organ, and guitar. She also found joy in the outdoors, whether walking, biking, boating, downhill or cross-country skiing. Gloria treasured quiet moments spent reading her many books as well as time in the kitchen cooking for her beloved grandchildren. She often helped in her husband's garden, picking berries, canning, and baking.
Gloria is lovingly survived by her three children: Darren (Natalie) Merhalski of Suamico, WI; Lynn (Marc) Beauregard of Munith, MI; and Lori (Brad) Balza of St. Paul, MN.
Thirteen grandchildren, who were the light of her life: Mitchell, Maxwell, Sam, Annie (Steven), Mary, Joseph, Michael, Maison (Alexis), Micah, Claire, Rose, Noah and Blaise.
Three great grandchildren: Myles, Waylon, Lyla and 1 on the way.
She is also survived by her sisters, Carol Deeth and Linda Steen, and her brother, Gary Steen.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert; and her brothers, Tom Steen and John Steen.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Florence Health Services for their compassionate care, kindness, and support. Your dedication and comfort meant more to us than words can express. "We are deeply grateful to the entire staff at Florence Health Services for the loving care, patience, and dignity you showed our mother. Your kindness brought comfort to her and to our family during a very difficult time."
Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at Jacobs-Lundholm Funeral Home, Florence, WI. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, February 13, 2026, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Florence, with Fr. Soja Joseph officiating. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery in Commonwealth in the spring.
Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Gloria's family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com
The family has chosen Jacobs-Lundholm Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Florence, WI, to honor Gloria's legacy of life.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3 Entries
Connie Davis
February 7, 2026
Gloria was a special person. She became my friend from the library, she loved the lord, her family, and reading. I know she is at peace in her saviors arms. So sorry for your family´s loss.
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Anne Newcombe
February 2, 2026
Mrs. Merhalski made a profound impression upon me when I arrived at Florence Elementary after having gone to kindergarten in a dual language program in Quebec, then first grade in Ishpeming at a pretty strict Catholic school. I will never forget "Antidisestablishmentarianism" displayed above the alphabet over the chalk board, LOVED and was fascinated that it had more letters than the alphabet. Even though I had no idea I was autistic at the time, Mrs. Merhalski kindly nurtured my enduring love of animals and academics, finding ways to let me gently self-regulate and find my own way into a common community that had already been established years before I arrived. Her second grade class, set apart as it were in the mobile buildings outside the main school, let me acclimate to a small town rural world and all new people for the third (and gratefully last) time slowly that might otherwise have overwhelmed me completely. I am so grateful for her gentle and supportive presence-as must be so many others of her students. When you learned from Mrs. Merhalski, you could feel her love. Rest In Power, Dear Lady, knowing that you made incredible difference in this Earth Walk.
Linda Nelson
January 31, 2026
Thank you for your awesome way of teaching, Mrs. Merhalski. I felt like we were actually going to Ireland when you arranged our classroom chairs like an airplane and then had different Ireland learning stations around the room! Blarney Stone, music, etc. The best way to learn!
May Our Dear Lord and Blessed Mother Reward you Abundantly. Eternal Rest Grant unto Gloria, O Lord and May Perpetual Light Shine upon her. May her soul and the souls of all the faithfully departed, through the Mercy of God, Rest in Peace. Amen.
In His Love,
Linda(Newcombe)Nelson
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417 Central Ave, Florence, WI 54121
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