Merrilee Ashton “Mere” Weber, age 66, of Cannon Falls, died Tuesday afternoon surrounded by loved ones, September 8, 2026, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester.
Mere was born December 24, 1959, in Minneapolis to Myron H. “Mike” and Joyce M. “Mitzi” (Brunette) Ashton. She grew up on Lake Byllesby, where her love for the lake and the surrounding community began. Byllesby was always more than a place to Mere. It was home, and it remained a special part of her life and heart.
She graduated from Randolph High School in 1978. On April 23, 1983, Mere married her soulmate, Douglas J. Weber, at St. Pius V Catholic Church in Cannon Falls. Together, they made their home north of Cannon Falls in the house they built. Doug was Mere’s person; her best friend, partner, and the love of her life. Losing him left a space that could never be filled, and she missed him deeply.
Mere began working as a waitress at the CannonBall Restaurant, where her love for people and customer service took root. She later worked for Honeywell and eventually Subway Restaurants. It was Mere who suggested putting a Subway in Cannon Falls, and before long, she and Doug were investing their time and energy into owning and operating several Subway restaurants throughout the area until her retirement in 2021.
She was strong-willed, spoke her mind, and could find humor in just about any situation, no matter how tough life got. She loved to socialize, spend time with her siblings and friends, go to Bingo, and rarely ventured far without a Diet Coke in hand.
Above all, Mere loved her family, especially her children and grandchildren. No matter how she was feeling, their visits could brighten her day. She loved singing “You Are My Sunshine” to her grandkids, and they truly were her sunshines. She always made sure she had their favorite snack in abundance for them. Family traditions meant the world to her, especially the annual trip to the Wisconsin Dells. After years of returning, her kids can practically recite the entire Wisconsin Dells Duck Tour by heart.
Mere battled many different health issues throughout the years and was, at times, a bit of a medical mystery. Still, she faced it all with her trademark stubbornness, humor, strength, and deep faith. Through that faith, she won the right to enter heaven.
She is reunited with her beloved husband and soulmate, Doug; her parents, Mike and Mitzi Ashton; father-in-law, John “Jack” Weber; brother-in-law, Bob Meyers; and other family members and friends who went before her. There is comfort in knowing that after missing Doug for so long, they are finally back together forever.
She is loved and will be forever missed by her children, Sianna (Erich) Siewert, Nicholas (Jill) Weber, and Samuel (Kaci) Weber; grandchildren, Chelsea, Carston, Cassidy, Madison, and Beau; siblings, Bob (Faye) Wellman, Joyce Meyers, Teresa (Charlie) Niebur, Susan (Stephen) Kulikowski, Michael Ashton, and Kelly (Tim) Brewer; mother-in-law, Marlys Weber; in-laws, Gretchen (Steve) Rauchwarter, Scott (Rosann) Weber, Sandy Strandberg, Tim (Rene) Weber, and Tom Weber; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, extended family members, and friends.
There will never be another Mere, she left her footprint anywhere she went and will be deeply missed.
A visitation will be held Monday, September 14, from 4 to 7 p.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Miesville. Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, September 15, at 10:30 a.m., with visitation one hour prior with the eulogy at 10:15 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, with Father Andrew Brinkman celebrating.
Interment will follow at the church cemetery.
