Hilda Helen Elfe passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at the age of 93.
She was born December 28, 1923 to Otto and Hedwig (Luedtke) Wilde, a home birth, in the town of Rib Falls.
On August 31, 1968, Hilda married Leland Carl Elfe. He preceded her in death on March 9, 1996.
Survivors include seven children, Rodney (Pam) Hall, Mosinee, Edmund (Judy) Hall, Hamburg, Sue (Bruce) Marcell, Ringle, Fran Gazda, Mosinee, Sandy (Joe Groshek) Sky, Washburn, Wis., Terry Elfe, Wausau and Randy (Denise) Elfe, Burley, Idaho; two step-children, Sharon (Mike) LaShiva and Kathleen Edwards; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, one daughter, Jean Hench; one granddaughter, Shannon Hall; an infant grandson; and two siblings, Laura Schmeltzer and Leonard Wilde.
Hilda worked at Wausau Motor Parts for 23 years and in 1985, Hilda shocked her family by joining her husband, Leland, in over-the-road semi-truck driving. She was 62!!! Hilda retired at the age of 67.
She possessed an incredible curiosity her entire life and met life head on. Among her favorite pastimes, she was an avid reader, loved current events, bird watching and gardening.
Memorial services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 20, 2017 at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau. Rev. Jeffrey Martinson will officiate. Burial will be in the St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Rib Falls. Visitation will be on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home.
The family would like to express their deep appreciation to both the staff and residents at Renaissance Assisted Living. With their help, Mom was able to see how much life there was yet to be lived in the last 18 months of her life.
The staff at Rennes Health and Rehab Center in Weston and the staff at Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services provided remarkable care and comfort in Mom’s final days. Thank you all!
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com
David R. Wadzinski, 83, Wausau, died Thursday, March 16, 2017. He was born June 17, 1933 in Wausau, son of the late Louis and Sylvia (Harder) Wadzinski. Private services will be held. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com
William P. Flynn, 90, died Monday, March 13, 2017 at Cedar Ridge Elder Services, Schofield.
He was born November 17, 1926 in Eagle River, son of the late Paul and Edna (Oaks) Flynn. On August 6, 1949 he married Phyllis Parent in Merrill. She preceded him in death on February 18, 2000.
William served his country in the United States Army during WWII and worked in acoustical sales for Suspended Ceiling. He was an avid golfer and Packer fan. Some of his other hobbies were building and flying airplanes, remodeling and building many other things including a car and hunting.
Survivors include his children, Michael (Grace) Flynn, Florida and Julie (Dan) Reilly, Wausau; and grandchild, Aaron Panko, Green Bay.
Besides his parents and wife, Phyllis, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Lee and Pat Flynn and a sister, Ruth Fischer.
Private family services will be held.
The family would like to extend a big thank you to the staff at Cedar Ridge, the hospice nurses and social workers who lovingly supported and cared for William. Thank You
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com
Nancy Frawley
A generous, engaged and full life ended when Nancy Phillips Frawley, 90, died on Thursday, March 16, at Aspirus Hospice House in Wausau WI. She had a wonderful Christmas with her family and a warm and healthy month in Florida before becoming ill and returning home. She died ten days later.
Nancy, a long-time Wausau resident, worked briefly (and badly, she said) as a reference librarian at Marathon County Public Library following her divorce from Daniel Frawley. While there she wrote book reviews for The Wausau Daily-Record Herald under the pen name Lois Lane and participated in televised book chats. After returning to school for education credits, she became part of the faculty at Marathon High School, teaching English for close to 20 years. She thoroughly enjoyed her students, the subject-based lit classes she developed and coaching the school’s very successful High Quiz Bowl team.
Nancy was active in many civic and charitable organizations in the community, most recently serving on the boards of the Boys & Girls Club of Wausau and the Marathon County Historical Society. Through The Community Foundation, The NTC Foundation and the Marathon School Endowment she provided annual scholarships to help area students attend local colleges.
Nancy served as a greeter at the Woodson Art Museum, participated in the MCPL Classics Book Club, always attended UWMC’s annual “Good Ideas” programs for the over 50 group, and happily took herself to plays, concerts, community theater, movies, shows, opera, and ballet offered throughout the city. She was a long-time member of the First Universalist-Unitarian Church of Wausau.
Seventy-eight of her summers were spent in northern Wisconsin on beloved Black Oak Lake. She served on the board of the Land O’ Lakes Historical Society and was a docent there as well. For many years, she took a weekly turn monitoring boats at the public landing for milfoil and always judged the 4th of July boat parade.
After she retired from teaching, she traveled often with friends and family, eventually having countless “last trips” to Paris. She had a zest for life and a passion for learning, evident in the miles walked, museums visited and Michelin Guides fallen apart. She was known for her dry sense of humor, critical eye and ear and thoughtful points of view.
Nancy was born November 12, 1926 in Wausau to Henry and Gladys Phillips. She graduated from UW-Madison in 1947.
She is survived by proud but sad daughters Ann Perra (Sal), Kate Brody (John), and Elizabeth Frawley (David Fulcher); grandchildren Maggie Moskal (Brandon), Sam Brody, Henry Frawley-Fulcher and Daniel Frawley-Fulcher; great-grandchildren Lucy and John Moskal. She will be missed so much by her sons-in-law, grandchildren and her wonderful friends, especially “4th daughter” Barb Schneider (John Jagerson). She was preceded in death by her parents and her twin sisters, Sally and Mary.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 25, 2017, at 11:30 a.m., at the First UU Church, 504 Grant Street, Wausau. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Wausau Boys & Girls Club, 1710 N 2nd Street 54403; Neighbors’ Place, 745 Scott Street 54403; or Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services, 333 Pine Ridge Blvd 54401.
Elizabeth S. Peters, 90, passed away March 15, 2017 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital with her daughter by her side.
Elizabeth was born on January 14, 1927 to the late Frank and Mollie (Stahl) Schmeling. She graduated from Wausau High in 1945 and received her accounting degree from the University of Wisconsin- Madison in 1949. Upon moving back to Wausau, she met her late husband of 35 years, Henry M. Peters Jr. They were married on November 4, 1961 at St Anne’s Catholic Church in Wausau. In 1967, they were blessed with one daughter, Mollie.
After graduating from UW- Madison, she went to work for Wipfli, where she worked for over 40 years and became a partner in 1962. She was the first woman in the State of Wisconsin to become a partner in a CPA firm. Elizabeth was the first woman appointed to the Accounting Examining Board by Governor Patrick Lucey. She served on that board for 8 years. Prior to retirement, she was asked to join the UW Business Alumni Board.
Elizabeth believed in giving back to her community, serving on many committees and boards. In 1987 she received the Athena award in Wausau for her leadership in the community. Elizabeth was a long time member of Altrusa and Wausau Woman’s Club. She practiced her faith at Church of the Resurrection. She enjoyed golfing in summers and curling in the winter. She curled for 47 years. In addition to Elizabeth’s accomplishments, she enjoyed traveling throughout Europe and spending quiet weekends at the lake.
Elizabeth leaves behind a daughter, Mollie Peters (boyfriend Brian Schade and children Mikayla, Samantha and Dawson), grand fur babies, Sassy and Moo and other nieces and nephews. Elizabeth is preceded in death by her parents, husband and brother, Bill Schmeling.
A Funeral Mass will be held Monday, March 20, 2017 at 11:00 am at Church of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, 621 Second Street, Wausau. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 pm on Sunday, March 19, 2017 at Brainard Funeral Home, 522 Adams Street, Wausau, and again on Monday from 9:30 am until the time of service at the church. Burial will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s association.
The family would like to especially thank all of the nurses and staff at Tender Reflections and the entire Palliative Care staff at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
Online Condolences may be made at www.brainardfuneral.com
Dean Allen Lewitzke, 61, of Wausau, passed away, Wednesday, March 15, 2017, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital following a brief illness.
Dean was born in Wausau on November 25, 1955, son of Wilmer and Joan (Gaulke) Lewitzke. He attended school in Wausau and then began working at Cloverbelt Feed Mill and farming with his family. In July of 1980 Dean took over the family farm and on March 7, 1981 married Sue Schlueter in Wausau. Dean and Sue made their home on the farm where they raised their three children. He continued to farm and worked for the road maintenance department for the Town of Wausau.
Dean loved shooting pool and at one time was a member of three different leagues in the area. You could also find him deer hunting, fishing and just driving around the area stopping to visit with family and friends. His great joy though was spending time with his grandsons Tyler and Bradly and spent many hours serving as “Papa’s Taxi”.
Dean is survived by his wife Sue of 36 years, three children, Tammy (Gerry) Krueger, Wausau, Stacy (Paul) Seefeldt, Merrill and Allen Lewitzke of Wausau, two grandsons, Tyler and Bradly Seefeldt, his parents, Wilmer and Joan of Wausau and one brother Neal (Paula) Lewitzke of Knowlton. Brothers and sisters-in-laws, Donald (Bonnie) Schlueter, Lana Schlueter, Dawn (Gary) Merriam, Debra Fochs, Donna Mantz, Peggy (Tim) Tessmer, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Betty Pasnecker, father-in-law, Gordon Schlueter, brothers-in-law, Ronald Schlueter, Joe Fochs and Don Mantz
Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, March 20, 2017, concluding with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. all at Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce Street, Wausau.
Steven Lynn Sexter, 51, Wausau, passed away Monday, March 13, 2017, at the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison.
Steven was born December 24, 1965, in Decorah, IA, son of the late James Lynn and Jeralyn (Krugel) Sexter. At the age of 16 he moved with his parents to Owatonna, MN where he attended and graduated from high school. He continued his education for a time at Wartburg College in Waverly, IA.
He then worked at Winnebago Industries in Forrest City, IA. In 1988, Steven moved to Wausau, WI, where he met Jill Binkowski. Steven and Jill were married on September 23, 1989. To this union one son James was born in 1990. They made their home in Panama while Steven was stationed in the United States Army.
After his discharge he made his home in the Wausau, where he worked as a manager at Fazoli’s, Arby’s, Oldcastle Glass and later County Market.
Steve is survived by a son James of Weston, WI and one brother Alan Sexter of Wausau.
Memorial services will be 4:00 p.m., Friday, March 24, 2017, at First English Lutheran Church, 402 N. 3rd Ave, Wausau. Rev. Erik Olson will officiate.
