Mary J. Smith
Mary J. Smith, 91, of Wausau, passed away on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at Copperleaf Memory Care of Schofield under the care of Interim Hospice.
She was born in Fenwood on March 25, 1932 to the late Charles and Sophia (Wagner) Crothers. Mary married Jerry Grosskreutz and he preceded her in death on December 12, 1985. She later married Duane Smith on August 17, 1991 at First English Lutheran Church in Wausau and he preceded her in death on January 30, 2015.
Mary will be remembered as a people person, and she loved and cherished her family. For many years she was active on her CB Radio by the name Mama Bear. She was a member of the V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary and First English Lutheran Church. She enjoyed her friends and trips to the casino together. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
Survivors include her children, Cheryl Grosskreutz, Suzette (Steve) Gorectke, Sandra Kell (Randy Griffith), and Steven (Tammy) Grosskreutz; 15 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husbands; parents, Charles and Sophia; and daughter, Deborah Spatz.
A funeral service will be at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau, with Rev. Barry Levine officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Burial will take place at a later date in Restlawn Memorial Park, town of Texas. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Linda S. Weiler
Linda S. Weiler, 69, Weston, formerly of Athens, passed away following a brief illness on Thursday, March 21, 2024 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
She was born April 1, 1954 in Wausau, the daughter of Donald and Alice (Kremsreiter) Weiler.
Linda enjoyed arranging floral bouquets, diamond art and cooking. Most of all, she loved to spend time with her family, especially her grandchildren.
Survivors include, her mother, Alice Weiler; two children, Dawn Teske-Weiler and Bradley Wogernese; four grandchildren, Loralynn (Derek) Hein, Gustav Teske, Elizabeth Teske and Brittany Schultz; four great grandchildren, Nevaeh, Chance, Mckinlee and Harper; nine siblings, Bonita (Terry) Leffel, Ricky Weiler, Donna Jean Weiler, Pam Weiler, Rita (David) Stevens, Calvin Weiler, Gail Weiler, Tammy Weiler and Julie (Scot) Jensen; ex-husband, Dennis Kloth; sister-in-law, Donalyn Weiler; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father, Donald; her second husband, John Cullen; her son, Shawn Wogernese; and two siblings, Lorrie Weiler and Allen “Butch” Weiler.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Athens. Rev. George Graham will preside. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. until time of services at the church.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com
Bernice C. Passehl
Bernice C. Passehl, 99, of Athens, passed away on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at Athenian Living in Athens, also under the care of St. Croix Hospice.
She was born on July 30, 1924 to the late Stanley and Eleanore (Myszka) Writz in Rietbrock. Bernice married Jerome Passehl on October 2, 1948 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Poniatowski and he preceded her in death on March 4, 1998.
Bernice loved and cared for her family, raising three children. She also worked at Marathon Cheese for 27 years, was a hostess and waitress at the Sky Lite Supper Club, and was a member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary.
In addition to her work, Bernice was an excellent cook and baker. She baked delicious pies and desserts, and loved to share, baking many pies for Father Graham and Father Hiebel. She also loved country music, especially George Jones, and dancing to polka music. Bernice will be remembered for her strong faith, attending Mass daily, her generosity, being pleasant and easy-going, and for her smile.
Survivors include her children, Jerome Jr of Athens, Kathleen (Robert) Franz of Edgar, and Duane (Donna) Passehl of Fenwood; grandchildren, Steve Passehl, Chad (Rhonda) Passehl, Melissa (Jake) Lemke, Ann Marie (Alf-Harald) Dahl, Benjamin (Monika) Franz, Josh (Jennifer) Passehl, Amber (Kevin) Blumreich; grandson-in-law, Troy “TJ” Weiler; great- grandchildren, Seth Passehl, Tanya Passehl, Luke Passehl, Zack Passehl, Evin Passehl, Asher Lemke, Leo Franz, Thomas Dahl, Alexander Dahl, Lorraina Franz, Gabrielle Franz, Eloise Franz, Madison Passehl, Reid Passehl, Kinsley Blumreich; great-great grandson, Seth Passehl Jr; step-great-granddaughters, Jennifer Writz and Ashlee Goodrich; step-grandsons-in-law, Traner Weiler and Tukker Weiler; brother, Daniel (Mary) Writz; and sisters-in-law, Myra Makowski and Kathleen “Kitty” Writz.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerome; parents, Stanley and Eleanore; infant daughter, Patricia; brothers, Florian, Raymond, Benjamin “Jack,” Stanley, Jerome “Jeff,” and infant, Michael; and sisters, Leona Jurkowski, Regina Nizzi, and Margaret Stubler.
A funeral Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 1, 2024 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Athens, celebrated by Rev. George Graham. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Burial will be at a later date in Calvary Cemetery, Athens. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
A special thank you from the family to the staff and volunteers at Athenian Living of Athens and St. Croix Hospice for their loving care of Bernice!
Eugene A. Peterson
Eugene (Pete) Arthur Peterson, 84, of Schofield, Wisconsin, peacefully passed away at Aspirus Hospital on Thursday, March 21, 2024.
Eugene was born on September 15,1939 to Peter and Martha (Thompson) Peterson. He worked at Jarp Industries in Schofield, WI from 1966 to 2004, when he retired. Eugene married Leone (Fierek) on April 25, 1970.
He is survived by his wife Leone, and two sons Scott (Ann) Peterson and Todd (Angela) Peterson. Eugene has six grandchildren: Payton, Emmitt, Lilly, Dustin, Travis, and Bradley and one great granddaughter, Ezria Peterson.
Eugene is preceded in death by his parents Peter and Martha Peterson, along with his two sisters, Sandy (Ronald) Schuster, and Alice (Walter) Kroeplin.
Throughout his life, Eugene enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, camping “up north,” riding his motorcycle, downhill skiing, bowling at Coral Lanes, watching the Packers, and playing video games on the original Nintendo Entertainment System. Eugene also enjoyed listening to his diverse collection of records that included: Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, The Big Bopper, and many others. Eugene got to see Buddy Holly in person on July 12, 1958, at the Rothschild Pavilion.
The funeral service will be at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 1351 Grand Ave, Schofield, WI 54476., on April 1st, 2024. Visitation will begin at 1:00pm and the Funeral service will be at 2:00 pm.
Mid Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting family at this time. Online condolences may be expressed at MWCS.WS
Jennifer M. Hrebik
On Sunday, March 17th, 2024, Jennifer Marie Hrebik (Benn) loving mother, daughter, and sister, peacefully passed away, in the safety of her own home, at 48 years young.
Jennifer Marie Hrebik (Benn) was born into this beautiful world on February 29th, 1976, in Mosinee, WI, to Charles and Patricia Benn. Jennifer graduated from Mosinee High School in 1994 and then worked at various jobs in the healthcare field where she fulfilled her passion to help others. In her former marriage to Thomas Hrebik, she brought three boys into this world, Jacob Thomas, Matthew Charles, and Caden John. She then met the love of her life, Brad Will, and together created a loving home for all their children in Bergen, WI.
Jennifer wanted nothing more than to provide for and witness her children grow up to thrive and succeed. She loved her boys dearly, and often said they were indeed, “all of her world”. Her favorite hobbies included baking, boating on the lake, and caring for her red heeler, Max. Jennifer was a kind and positive soul in a world that needs more of it. She was often described as “the life of the party” by all who were fortunate to enjoy that side of her. Jennifer had a laugh and smile that was infectious and will be remembered by many.
Jennifer Marie was preceded in death by her mother Patricia Benn (Kleist), older brother Jason Benn, and her aunt Mary Benn. She is survived by her loving father Charles Benn, loving Uncle Ernest Benn, sons Jacob (28), Matthew (25), and Caden Hrebik (19), and her nephew Keagan Wallace (Benn) (24).
Visitation and Funeral service will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church on April 20th, 2024. The visitation will start at 10:00 AM and service will start at 11:00 AM, with a small meal following shortly after.
Mid Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting family at this time. Online condolences may be expressed at MWCS.WS
