Merlin J. Tolsma

Merlin John Tolsma passed away peacefully, on May 13, 2025 at Hospice for Hope in Fond du Lac, WI, after a battle with metastatic bladder cancer.

There will be a memorial gathering for Merlin at Annunciation Catholic Church in Fox Lake on Thursday, May 22, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at church on Thursday beginning at 11:00 a.m. Fr. Nick Dhein will officiate. Inurnment will be at Annunciation Cemetery in the Town of Trenton, Dodge County, Wisconsin.

Merlin was the son of John & Augusta (Bauer) Tolsma. He was born at home in the township of Trenton, WI on July 2, 1934. He attended a 1 room schoolhouse in the Town of Trenton until his family relocated to the city of Fox Lake. He was a 1952 graduate of Fox Lake High School.

Merlin enlisted in the US Army on January 21, 1954, and underwent 16 weeks of basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. During his 18-month deployment to Phillips Barracks in Karlsruhe, Germany, he formed lasting memories of his time spent in Germany and visiting The Netherlands. As a truck driver, Merlin honorably served in the US Army for 2 years before receiving an honorable discharge in 1956. Following his military service, Merlin worked at JM Rodger Lumber in Fox Lake for 12 years. In January 1962, Merlin began his 27-year tenure with the Department of Corrections, serving at Waupun State Prison before transferring to Fox Lake Correctional upon its opening in 1962. He retired as a sergeant in July 1989. Post-retirement, Merlin worked seasonally at Friday Canning Factory in Cambria, as well as at Green Giant and Pepsi in Beaver Dam.

Merlin met the love of his life, Shirley, at a quant beer joint on Hwy 33 outside Fox Lake, WI. After a brief courtship they were married on June 9, 1956 at Annunciation Catholic Church in Fox Lake, WI. They were happily married for 68 years, raising 6 children together.

Dad had many hobbies over the years. He enjoyed woodworking, making squirrel feeders, bird houses and benches. He once had an extensive beer can collection which he proudly displayed in his garage. He enjoyed reading; mainly books about American history and biographies. He never tired of watching old Clint Eastwood, Charles Bronson and John Wayne movies with Mom. In his later years he had a fondness for search a word puzzle books. Dad loved having a new vehicle. He took great pride in his latest acquisition, keeping sale receipts of every vehicle he ever owned.

During the summers Dad would take us to Green Lake, Devil’s Lake, Henry Vilas Zoo, breweries, wineries and historical places throughout Wisconsin. Dad enjoyed long road trips visiting many states along the way. Our summer vacations began in the late 1970’s after his two sons, Jeffery & Robert joined the Army. Months ahead of our summer vacation he’d spend hours pouring over maps planning the route for our next adventure. He had a large supply of free gas station maps stored in the backseat pockets of his latest vehicle. We visited many army bases over the years which lead to day trips to Washington D.C., Pikes Peak, Royal Gorge and Opryland. After his sons left the military our summer vacations continued well into the early 1990’s. After retiring from Fox Lake Correctional, our parents spent many years traveling together to celebrate their anniversary or to indulge in their shared love of country music.

Dad had a life long love of country music especially Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Charlie Pride and Waylon Jennings. Dad’s favorite vacations were spent in Branson, MO and Nashville, TN, where he enjoyed attending concerts of his favorite country music artists. Closer to home he enjoyed country shows at the Crystal Grand Theater in Wisconsin Dells and the Dodge County Fair.

Merlin is survived by his children, Jeffery (June) Tolsma of rural Randolph, WI, Robert (Catherine) Tolsma of rural Fond Du Lac, WI, Timothy Tolsma of Fond Du Lac, WI, Constance (Robb) Bisby of Neenah, WI & Jill (Thorton) Ridder of Woodbury, MN. Grandchildren; Elizabeth (Erik) VanBeek of Brandon, WI, Jenifer (Jeff) Derksen of Waupun, WI, Dyane (Kevin) Foat of Neenah, WI, Rachel (Brian) Day of Neenah, WI, Mark (Cassie) Tolsma of Neenah, WI and James Tolsma of Fond du Lac, WI. Great Grandchildren; Emrich, Ethan & Ella VanBeek, Brooke & Addison Derksen, Claire & Jeff Foat, Ava & Brody Beiser and Mason Tolsma, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

MeMerlin was preceded in death by his wife Shirley, son Michael Tolsma, parents John & Augusta Tolsma, brothers Clarence Tolsma, Arnold Tolsma, Gerald Tolsma and sister Lorraine Wallintin, in-laws, cousins and friends. He was also preceded in death by his beloved dogs Princess, Queenie, Dusty & Cody along with numerous childhood pets.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to UW Health Carbone Cancer Center. 



The family wishes to convey their deepest gratitude to the staff at St Frances Terrace and Hospice Home of Hope in Fond du Lac for providing our Dad with the highest level of care and respect during his final years. The staff’s commitment to honoring Dad’s Catholic faith and the presence of the nuns from St Agnes brought him profound comfort.