Dorothy J. Wiesman
Dorothy J. Wiesman, 87, Wausau, passed away on Sunday, March 24, 2024 at Aspirus Hospice House, Wausau.
She was born August 24, 1936 in Wausau, daughter of the late Paul and Anna (Butt) Krueger. On May 21, 1960, she married Wilbert “Bert” Wiesman in Iowa. He preceded her in death on March 22, 1995.
For 43 years, Dorothy worked at Marathon Electric in Wausau until her retirement at age 62. Some of her favorite pastimes included cooking and flower gardening, winning several Garden of the Month awards. She also enjoyed her monthly lunch gatherings with some of her school friends that she kept in touch with all these years.
Later in life, Dorothy had two dogs “Benji” and “Maya” who she loved dearly.
Survivors include, seven children, Mark (Debbie) Woller, Perry Wiesman, Lorrie Leaf, John Wiesman, Tracy (Tony) Pupp, Steve (Debbie) Wiesman and Lee Wiesman; 13 grandchildren, Jason (Tiffany) Woller, Sarah (Noah) Dreikosen, Jared Wiesman, Callie Wiesman, Ariel Wiesman, Jessica Leaf, Cass (Jake) Glaser, Jacob Pupp, Nicholas Pupp, Zachary Wiesman, Brittany (Aaron) Ullmer, Chelsey Wiesman and Casey Wiesman; two great-grandchildren, Leia Woller and Kinsley Doll; one sister, Viola Brunow; and many nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents and husband, Bert, she was preceded in death by her daughter-in-law, Jill Wiesman; and four brothers, Bennie Krueger, who just passed away on March 22, 2024, and Jimmy, Raymond and Melvin Krueger.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Wausau. Rev. James Mayland will officiate. Entombment will be in the Memorial Chapel Mausoleum, Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Visitation will be on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until time of services at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Aspirus Hospice House, Wausau.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Aspirus Wausau Hospital, especially the Palliative Care Unit and the staff at Aspirus Hospice House for the wonderful care and support for our Mom.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Wausau is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com
Bennie Krueger
Bennie Henry William Krueger was reunited with his Heavenly Father the morning of March 22, 2024.
Bennie was born to the late Paul and Anna (Butt) Krueger at their home in Wausau on June 4, 1931, beginning a long life of determination and laughter. A faith-filled man from the start, Bennie was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Wausau. He attended and proudly graduated from Trinity Lutheran School and then went to vocational school for woodworking, which became a lifelong passion. Bennie did all this while working hard as a milk hauler and farm hand for his late cousin, Lorenz Breitenfelt, and as a paperboy and shoe shiner.
Bennie’s care and resolve shined through in his work. At a young age he got his driver’s license with a dump truck so that the next day he could start a route on one of Lorenz’s milk trucks. In his work as a farm hand for Lorenz, Bennie’s sense of duty was demonstrated when one day lightning struck and the barn caught fire. While others feared that he died in the fire, Bennie – with a sacrificial and enduring spirit – fought to save a calf from the flames.
At 20, Bennie married the love of his life, Doris Krueger, on June 9, 1951. They met at a dance in Nutterville. When Bennie showed up at her doorstep to ask her on a date, Doris already had plans to go out with another man, so she tried to convince Bennie to go on a date with her sister, Edith, instead. In his stubborn fashion, Bennie had eyes only for Doris and refused to go out with Edith. Passionately determined, he kept at it until his resolve paid off and Doris was his wife. With Doris by his side, Bennie worked at Lake Wausau Granite and on a Red Dot Potato Chip farm in Rhinelander before he and Doris started at their own farm in February of 1956.
Despite Doris’ initial desire not to live on a farm and Bennie’s city upbringing, Bennie was set on becoming a farmer. They began by renting their farm, but Bennie was determined to purchase it and improve it to the point of replacing most of the buildings and even giving Doris a new farmhouse. Passionate about his work, he also became one of the first dairy farmers in Marathon County to learn the technique of artificial insemination so that he could apply those techniques to his own herd. Doris and Bennie went on to spend 33 years at their farm in the town of Easton before they decided to retire in the spring of 1989.
Bennie carried the spirit of the farm with him despite moving into town. Putting his green thumb to use, he cultivated large gardens with many different crops. He particularly loved to grow raspberries and blackberries, filling buckets full of them and faithfully recording his daily harvests on a calendar. He began to cook roasts and can garden produce, and he continued to make maple syrup. Bennie also finally found the time to dig into his love of woodworking. He was a skilled craftsman, and he generously shared that passion with his grandchildren as he built each of them a gift upon their high school graduation.
Bennie and Doris also loved to travel together. During their time on the farm, they would take trips to Las Vegas to get away for a much needed break. Over the years, they went on 17 trips to Las Vegas, often enjoying the Circus Circus Hotel and Casino. Upon retirement, they purchased a motor home and traveled throughout the U.S.. Bennie’s favorite trips, however, were the two Panama Canal cruises that he and Doris took. He was fascinated by the canal locks and loved to see how they were built and operated when the ship passed through.
Their motor home became an avenue for travel and community in retirement. They joined a motorhome club, attending monthly rallies and meeting new people. Bennie even served as president of the motorhome club. Happy to talk to and tease just about anyone, Bennie found close friends, and even in his last years, these same friends joined Bennie and Doris for card games, especially Sheepshead.
The church also remained a pillar in Bennie’s life. After being baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church, Bennie remarked that moving back to Wausau and Trinity with Doris was like coming home. He was actively involved at Trinity as he ushered, attended Bible study, and helped count the offering money. With faithful worship and a life of service for the church and the Lord, Bennie was a role model of faith for his family. In turn, Bennie’s life was enriched by his church family.
As Bennie aged, he remained determined to be productive and active, continuing to blow snow, mow his lawn, and fire up the fireplace. From young heroic feats to winning Doris over and developing their farm, Bennie was determined to provide and care for others at any cost. Likewise, his sense of humor never wavered. Even in his final days, whenever someone asked “How do you feel?”, he would reply with a smirk and his infamous answer: “With my hands!” Bennie’s humor, resolve, and dedication to his family made him a good, beloved father and husband.
Bennie is preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Anna (Butt) Krueger; his siblings James, Melvin, and Raymond; brothers-in-law Eldor Brunow and Bert Wiesman; and sisters-in-law Delores Krueger and Alice Krueger as well as his “bonus” brother-in-law Arden Wilke. Bennie was followed in death shortly thereafter by his sister, Dorothy Wiesman, on March 24, 2024.
He is survived by his wife, Doris Krueger; his sister Viola Brunow; his children, Arden (Paula) Krueger, Frank (Diane) Krueger, Judy (Dave Borchardt) Krueger, and Janice (Jerome) Oelke; his 13 grandchildren, Rebecca (Thomas) Mroczenski, Paul (Gina) Krueger, Jody (Tony) Reis, Christie Krueger, Dustin (Crystal) Krueger, Derek (Amber) Larson, Carla Prahl, Pam Nyman, Andrew (Chelsea) Prahl, Stephanie Prahl, Jordan (Matthew Meidl) Oelke, Joel (Sharee Lang) Oelke, and Julia (Charlie Beyer) Oelke; his 36 great-grandchildren, Eleanor Mroczenski, Joshua Mroczenski, William Mroczenski, Isabelle Krueger, Emerson Krueger, Samantha (Wade) Dobrzynski, Rachael (Kesler) Schuette, Cynthia (Austin) Fettes, Peter Reis, Margaret Reis, Antoinette Reis, Abigail Reis, Joshua Reis, Raymond Reis, Vanessa Reis, Vivian Reis, Aleasha Hintz, Toby Hintz, Brooke Hintz, Michael Hintz, Brianna Hintz, Skylier Krueger, Melodie Krueger, Kendra Krueger, Brayden Larson, Braxton Larson, Brycen Larson, Brynlee Larson, Jacob Cleveland, Jackson Nyman, Elissa Nyman, Kayleen Prahl, Evan Cable, Connor Prahl, Josie Prahl, and Nicole Hall; and his four great-great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn Dobrzynski, Nicholas Dobrzynski, Haisley Schuette, and Phillip Fettes.
Thank you to the Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Palliative Care Unit physicians, nurses, and aids for their wonderful, diligent care for Bennie in his final days.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Wausau. The Rev. James Mayland will officiate. Entombment will be in the Memorial Chapel Mausoleum, Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Visitation is from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Monday, April 1, 2024 at church and again from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church. In honor of Bennie’s wardrobe of choice, all are welcome to wear Hawaiian shirts to the Monday visitation. Memorials can be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church and School.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com
Carol W. Carl
Carol W. Carl, 78, died peacefully on Sunday, March 24, 2024, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
She was born September 20, 1945 in Athens, daughter of the late Edwin and Magdalena (Hargraves) Stauske. On June 24, 1967, she married Donald Carl in Athens and he preceded her in death on March 8, 1996.
Carol worked at Liberty Mutual for over 40 years. She enjoyed traveling, trips to the casino and the movie theater with her friend Shawn, diamond art, needle work, growing flowers, making treats during Christmas time and babysitting Brian’s dogs while he was away. Above all she loved spending time with her grandchildren, other family and friends.
Survivors include her daughter, Heather (Shawn) Wilde; son, Brian Carl; grandchildren, Megan and Alex Wilde; brother, Walter Stauske; sister-in-law, Louetta Lavin. She is further survived by nieces, nephews, many friends and neighbors.
Besides her parents and husband, Donald, she was preceded in death by brothers Bernard and Leonard.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Rib Mountain Lutheran Church. Rev. Tim Swanson will officiate. Burial will immediately follow at Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Visitation will be Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services all at Rib Mountain Lutheran Church.
Carol’s family would like to thank Aspirus Palliative Comfort Care for their wonderful care and compassion shown to her and her family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com
Monte T. Cofell Sr.
Monte Trevor Cofell Sr., 85, passed away on March 19, 2024 at Mount View Center.
Monte had a huge zest for life and all its possibilities. He began that life on June 11, 1938, in Ellendale, North Dakota, born to Walter and Lillian Cofell. After graduating from high school, he attended North Dakota Normal and Industrial College for one year, then joined the Air Force. Eventually he was assigned to the Antigo Radar Base as a radar control operator. One night off the base he and his friends went to Bill’s Beer Bar in Schofield where he met Joan Barwick, who ultimately became his wife. They lived for most of their 64-year marriage in the Wausau area, raising their four children in Rothschild.
Monte was a hard man to pin down to one career, one hobby, one adventure. He could convince just about anyone to buy anything, successfully selling vacuum cleaners, furniture, insurance, steel buildings, and pole buildings. At one point he managed the bowling alley and taught judo at the Woodson YMCA. For many years he owned his own steel erecting company. He had many passions: earning a black belt in judo, bowling a 300 game and several 700 series, managing and playing on a fast pitch softball team. He was a pretty good pool player, or so he said, much to the chagrin of his old friend Bob Pankow. He loved to hunt (deer, elk and moose), fish and camp with friends and family. He rarely missed seeing his sons play football, often driving the other parents to out-of-town games in a school bus that was a converted camper.
After retiring, Monte and Joan bought an RV and spent many winters in southern Texas and traveling the country sightseeing and visiting friends and relatives until Monte’s health no longer allowed him to travel. He had the experience of a lifetime visiting Washington D. C. on an Honor Flight. Closer to home he enjoyed a weekly veteran’s breakfast at Denny’s, sipping whiskey old fashioneds while playing cards with friends at the Palm’s Supper Club or spending time with his grandkids.
Monte is survived by his wife Joan; children Carla (Bob) Nichols, Monte Cofell Jr., Cathy (Peter) Mutschler, and Michael Cofell; grandchildren Mackenzie, Griffin, Duncan, Lily and Harrison Cofell, Jack Mutschler, step-grandchildren Robby and Grant Nichols and step-great-grandchild Ivy Nichols; his brother Loren (Eileen) Cofell, sister Winifred May, sisters-in-law Judy Wojcik and Janice Barwick.
Monte was preceded in death by his parents, brother Kendall Cofell, sister Jayne White, daughter-in-law Kathleen Cofell, in-laws Ernie and Dolly Barwick, brother-in-law Jim Wojcik and good friends Frank Kesy, Dave Sorenson and Joe Bever.
Services will be held at John J. Buettgen Funeral Home in Schofield on Thursday, April 11, with visitation from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. followed by a short service. Online condolences may be expressed at HonorOne.com.
Monte was a fighter. His family often joked that he had nine lives as he survived more than one near-death experience and hung on far longer than any of them anticipated. Those nine lives were sometimes tumultuous, but his love for his family was of utmost importance, especially in the latter part of life.
He loved them dearly and they loved him right back. He will definitely be missed.
John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting family at this time. Online condolences may be expressed at HonorOne.com
Daniel M. Casper
Daniel Marvin Casper was born January 11, 1943 in Marquette, Michigan. His parents were Ione and Harold Swanson. Dan went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on March 15, 2024.
He had various occupations in logging, construction and building management during his early adult life.
In 1974, he met and married Barbara Worzella. Together they surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ. Dan attended Baptist Bible Institute where he received his Masters of Theology degree. He and Barbara served the Lord in various areas. His last pastorate was in Clintonville, Wisconsin where he served for 18 years. He retired from full time service 10 years ago, but continued serving his Lord until God called him to his eternal home.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Barbara; daughters Karen Casper of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and Trisha Peterson of Westlund, Michigan; and son-in-law Kurt Reith of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. He is also survived by grandchildren; Christie Casper, Loren Peterson, Cynthia Valentino, Kurt Reith Jr., and Abigail. Also surviving are two sisters: Cindy Holtslander and Yvonne Schultz.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Crystal Reith and a granddaughter, Myshell Reith, brother Aaron Swanson.
A celebration of life is planned for May 4, 2024 at Bethany Baptist Church, 6601 Alderson Street, Schofield, Wisconsin. Visitation will be at 10:00 AM with service at 11:00. A lunch will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to your favorite charity.
Mid Wisconsin Cremation is assisting the family at this time. Online condolences can be made at MWCS.WS.
