Mary Ann (Myszka) Soczka

Mary Ann (Myszka) Soczka, 86, Wausau, was born March 29, 1931, in Milwaukee, daughter of the late Thomas and Helen (Murkowski) Myszka.

Mom entered her eternal journey to Heaven surrounded by family, prayers, tears, memories and laughter. You are loved Mom. Thank you. We had you for 86 years, now enjoy your heavenly family, Our Dad, Leo; Son, John; Daughter, Leora.

Mary Ann’s heart was so big and full of love. She always thought of others first. You could tell that by her care of 39 + foster children and by the children she babysat for. Mary Ann and Leo owned Leo’s Bar and Café and The 5th Wheel Tavern. Mary Ann loved to garden, cook, bake, knit and crochet. You could taste her love of cooking on Friday nights at Leo’s Bar on S. 3rd Avenue. The best fish fry in Wausau with Polka music.

Mary Ann married Leo B. Soczka May 5, 1953 at Holy Family Catholic Church, Poniatowski.

She is survived by her children, Marie (Jerry) Schroeder, Carmen Altenburg, Cynthia Soczka, Donnie (Sue) Boe and Donna Brown; grandchildren, Mike (Jill) Schroeder, Chad (Jen) Goytowski, Steven (Erin) Schroeder, Kelly Schroeder, Mark (Kelsey) Schroeder, Judd (Sara) Altenburg, Cammy (Steve) Krause, Tara Altenburg, Jennifer (Allen Jr.) Shidell, Sean Boe, Donnie Boe Jr., Alicia (Rob) Hutchison, Brandie Fuhrman, Brittany (Joel) Stripling, Ashley Larson, and Bobbi Jo (Tiffany Cook); 18 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Clarence Soczka; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends as well as special friends Lyle and Gloria Jaegler.

Mary Ann shared a special bond with granddaughter, Jennifer who took such good loving care of her.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 22, 2017 at the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus, Wausau. Rev. Robert Thorn will preside. Burial will be in Holy Family Cemetery, Poniatowski. Visitation will be Sunday from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Avenue, Wausau and again on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church. There will be a 6:00 p.m. Rosary service Sunday evening at the Stewart Avenue funeral home.

The family would like to thank the Mount View Staff, Aspirus ER, CTU and MSICU units for the care mom was given and all the nurses, CNA’s and Doctors. A special thanks to Father Dan Thelen for all of his comforting visits.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com

Herbert W. Lang

Herbert W. Lang, 87, Marathon, passed away Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at Aspirus Hospice House.

He was born 1st of 13 children to the late William and Dorothy (Lepak) Lang in Wausau, February 2nd, 1930. He attended schools in Laona and at St. James and Wausau East, Wausau. During his life he worked at several occupations: at Marathon Electric; two years installing sprinkler systems and seven years traveling with telephone construction during which time he met and married his wife, Shirley (LaJoie) on February 22, 1955. They traveled together for five years before settling in Marathon. He then worked for Hammer Blow Co. for 31 years before retiring in 1993.

Herb enjoyed working with his hands. His biggest project was building his family’s home. He continued to enjoy building furniture including cradles and dressing tables for his grandchildren; stables for nativity sets and other small crafts. He especially enjoyed his children and grandchildren, attending their music and athletic events, birthday parties, high school and college graduations. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, camping, hunting and he was a volunteer fireman for several years. He helped with Boy Scouts and served as scoutmaster for a few years while his children were involved with scouting.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley; sons, Tony (Margaret) Lang, Oshkosh; Steve (Mary) Lang, Holmen and Scott (Donna) Lang, Plover; grandchildren, Rachel (David) Salsedo, Brian (Kelsey) Lang, Ben, Sarah, Brittany, Andy and Brandon Lang; great grandchildren, Nathaniel and Nora Salsedo and Samuel, Joseph, and Marilyn Lang; brother, Wayne (Janice) Lang, Marathon; sisters, Vivian (Howard) Jeske, Patricia Nowack, all of Marathon and Jeannie (Dale) Sauter, Edgar and many other relatives and friends.

Besides his parents, Herb was preceded in death by four brothers, Laverne, David, Robert and Gary Lang and by one sister, Sylvia Payne.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, May 21, 2017 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon. The Rev. Msgr. Joseph Diermeier will preside. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Friends may call on Sunday from 2:00 p.m. until the time of services all at the church.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Herb’s name.

Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com

Shirley A. Genrich

Shirley A. Genrich, 82, town of Hewitt died Tuesday, May 16, 2017 under the care of Interim Hospice and Palliative Care at Azura Memory Care, Wausau.

She was born July 6, 1934 in Wausau, daughter of the late David and Anne (Raasch) Wiensch. On January 15, 1955, she married Norman Genrich in Wausau. He preceded her in death on November 8, 2010.

Shirley was a homemaker, mother and worked side by side with her husband Norman on the family farm in the town of Hewitt. She later operated “Country Crossroads” a bar in the town of Hewitt for 13 years. Shirley also worked at Firstar Bank in Wausau and she was also a clerk for the town of Hewitt for many years. She belonged to various Homemakers Clubs and was active at Calvary Lutheran Church. Shirley enjoyed doing puzzles, working in the garden, feeding the birds and will be fondly remembered as being an excellent cook.

Survivors include her two children, Kevin Genrich and Keith (Jean) Genrich, both of Wausau, her siblings, Carol Bliss, Wausau, Gladys (William) Dietrich, Mosinee, Darold (Helen) Wiensch, Manitowoc, Sharon O’ Brien, MI, Gary (Karen) Wiensch, Colorado, Sandra (Tom) Jalinski, Maryland, Donald (Mary) Wiensch, Wausau and Barbara Dietrich, Wausau, her sister-in-law, Carol Genrich, CO, brother-in-law, Randy Henkleman, Wausau, sister-in-law, Arlene Wiensch, Arizona and brother-in-law, Rodney Genrich, Wausau, and many nieces and nephews. Shirley is further survived by her special friends and coworkers, Kay, LeAnn, Norma and Judy. Thank you for their visits, support and providing transportation and always including Shirley in on the group.

Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two infant sons, Brian and Arlon and an infant daughter Brenda and her siblings, Herbert, William, Richard, Donna and James.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 20, 2017 at Calvary Lutheran Church, N365 Cain Creek Road, Merrill. The Rev. Susan Christian will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call on Friday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and again on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services all at the church.

Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com

The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to Interim Hospice and the management and staff of Azura Memory Care for their outstanding care over the past 18 months.

Diane P. Jacobson

Diane P. Jacobson, 81, Wausau, died Tuesday, May 16, 2017 under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services at Wausau Manor after a long courageous battle with cancer.

She was born October 20, 1935 in London, England, daughter of the late Walter Moore and Una May (Warren) Goodesmith. On March 16, 1957, she married Richard Jacobson in London. He survives.

Diane was a homemaker and assisted with bookkeeping at her husband’s office. She was an avid flower gardener and enjoyed many hours visiting with her husband and the residents at Mountain Terrace. Diane was a story writer and her stories were published twice in the Wausau Daily Herald. Above all she loved spending time with her family and was affectionately known by her grandchildren as “Grammy”.

Survivors include her husband, Richard “Dick” Jacobson, Wausau; children, Donna (Eric) Owens, Hubertus, Darla (Daniel) Gratton, Wausau Guy (Jennifer) Jacobson, Lombard, Illinois and Sandra (Wayne) Collette, Mundelein, Illinois; grandchildren, Vanessa and Stephanie Gratton, both of Madison, Ashley (Tyler) Picchiottino, Ripon, Lea Owens, Des Moines, Iowa, Jaclyn Collette, Mundelein, Illinois and Jessica Collette, Alaska; great-grandson, Wesley Picchiottino, Ripon; brother, Nigel Goodesmith, England; sister, Susan Logan, England; many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 20, 2017 at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau. Rev. Joy Nelson-Jeffers will officiate. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Visitation will be Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services all at the Sixth Street funeral home.

The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the staffs at Mountain Terrace, Wausau Manor, Aspirus Palliative Care, and Dr. Derrick Siebert and staff at Radiology Associates for the kind, compassionate care given to Diane.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com

Theodore J. Gesicki

Theodore J. Gesicki, 73, died Sunday May 14, 2017, peacefully at his home with his daughter, grandchildren and his son there. Theodore was born March 1, 1944 to the late Edmund and Angeline (Handlosky) Gesicki in the town Rietbrock. He served his country honorable in the U.S. Army.

Survivors include his daughter; April Rahlf; son, Dean Gesicki; four grandchildren, Krystal, Paul and Ashley Rahlf and Isaac Gesicki; four brothers, Edmund, Anthony, Jerome and Robert; and two sisters, Rosemary and Margaret. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Louise.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 19, 2017 at Holy Family Catholic Church-Poniatowski, R444 County Road U, Edgar. Rev. Robert Streveler will preside. Family and friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home 3400 Stewart Ave., Wausau is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com

Joyce Guillaume

When you met Joyce Guillaume, you liked her immediately. She had a quiet spirit and gentle soul. Joyce also had a creative energy which showed through in her beautiful flower gardens or expertise in sewing clothes for her children or making sure she picked out the perfect gifts at Christmas.

Joyce was born November 20, 1939 in the town of Bergen to the late Joseph and Effie (Childs) Lahr. On September 27, 1958, she married Donald Guillaume at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church. Joyce took great pride in taking care of her family and home. She made sure that meals were home cooked and always made time for her grand and great grandchildren. Joyce loved shopping for knick knacks at garage sales, listening to country music , trips to the casino and decorating the house with anything blue. For fifteen years, Joyce had been employed in the clothing department at Walmart. She was a member of Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church where she volunteered and was a member of St. Catherine’s Council.

At the age of 77, Joyce passed away on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at Rennes Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Survivors include her husband Don of Schofield, daughter, Catherine MacKay of Plover, son, Ken (Cheryl) of Weston, four grandsons, Adam MacKay, Michael, Andrew and Daniel Guillaume, four great grandchildren, Dylan, Tanner, Riley, and Grace, brother, Larry Lahr of Weston and four sisters, Patricia Goss of Sho Low, AZ, Julia (Steve) Morey of Greenwood, Ind., Eleanor (Ed) Farrell of Appleton and Violet Duberstein of Edgar. Joyce was preceded in death by one brother, Vernon Lahr and one sister, Margaret Hallas.
The Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 19, 2017 at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, 1104 S. 9th Ave., Wausau. Father Dan Thelen will officiate. Visitation will be Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church.

Entombment will be in Restlawn Memorial Park.

You may sign our family guest book at helke.com.

Nancy Lang

Nancy Ann Lang, 77, died unexpectedly on May 15, 2017 at her home.

Nancy was born on August 7, 1939 in Waukesha to Marion (Geller) and Robert Conner. She moved to Rhinelander in 1947. She graduated from Rhinelander High School in 1957. While roller skating at the Crystal Rock Ballroom with friends, she met James Lang in 1958. They hit it off and on May 7, 1960 they were married during a blizzard that dumped 14? of snow. The reception was held at the Crystal Rock Ballroom, where they had met two years earlier.

Nancy began her career with Northland Insurance Agency in Wausau in 1962. In 1971 Manson Insurance bought out Northland Insurance Agency and Nancy continued to work there for several years. She then worked for Taffy’s Hallmark for eight years, and then finished her career with Brokaw Credit Union in 2015. Although she retired, she couldn’t remain idle and volunteered at the Ministry Health Gift Shop.

Nancy was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. The most important thing to her was family. She was an avid cook and baker, and there was always more than enough food at every family gathering. She also enjoyed spending time in Minocqua at the cottage on Blue Lake. She reveled in watching her grandchildren play sports, perform in plays and musicals, and graduate from various educational institutions. Besides spending time with family, she also enjoyed bowling, playing cards with friends and reading. She was a spiritual woman and involved in many church activities. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends and all who knew her.

Nancy is survived by her husband, James Lang; her children, Kevin (Bobbie) Lang, Keith (Jill) Lang and Cindi (John) Jaeger; her brother, Russell (Nancy) Conner; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, Marion and Robert Conner and a brother, Allen Conner.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 AM on May 19, 2017 at St. Mark Catholic Parish, Rothschild. Revered Allan Slowiak will officiate. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Thursday, May 18 at Helke Funeral Home; resuming at 10:30 AM until the time of service on Friday at the church. Entombment will take place at Restlawn Mausoleum.

Memorials may be directed to the Children’s Miracle Network through their website: https://childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org/donate/ with the hospital listed as: Ministry Saint Joseph’s Children’s Hospital.

Kathy S. Lewitzke

Kathy S. Lewitzke, age 53, of Wausau died on Thursday, May 18, 2017 at surrounded by her family.

Kathy was born in Wausau on July 19, 1963 to Edward and Mary Ellen (Boehm) Schreiber Jr. She attended Newman High School and married her high school sweetheart, Mark Lewtizke, on September 12, 1987. Kathy earned her associates degree in nursing at NTC. She then pursued a 30 plus year career at Aspirus with roles as an RN in the Ortho/Neuro Unit, Discharge Planner, and finishing her career as a Triage Nurse for Spine and Neuro Sciences.

Kathy enjoyed many things in life including spending time and traveling with the loves of her life, husband Mark and two daughters Kaylee and Molly. She especially enjoyed doing this in Florida at Disney World. She was a die hard Packer fan that cheered for her team every game day. Kathy really enjoyed gardening around the house and spending time enjoying the view of her work from the deck around the fire

Kathy is survived by her husband Mark Lewitzke of Wausau; daughters Kaylee (Patrick Kavanagh) Lewitzke of St. Louis, MO and Molly Lewitzke of Wausau; mother Mary Ellen (Alvin Funk) Schreiber of Cedar River, MI; father-in-law Charles (Sally) Lewitzke of Wausau; sister-in-law Marcia (Mike) Strandberg of Wausau; niece Cassandra (Shamus) Dorand; and nephews Michael Schreiber and Luke Strandberg.

She is preceded in death by her father Edward Schreiber Jr., brother Fred Schreiber, and mother-in-law Delores Lewitzke.

Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at Zion Lutheran Church, 709 N. 6th St., Wausau. The Rev. Steven Gjerde will officiate. Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Brainard Funeral Home, 522 Adams St. on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 and will continue from 9:30 am until the time of service at the church on Wednesday.

Anna Marie Polzin

Anna Marie Polzin, 43, of Athens, passed away at St. Clare’s Hospital in Weston with her loving family at her bedside on May 11, 2017.

Anna was born in Marshfield to Michael and Sandra (Blasel) Light on November 4, 1973. When she was two, she was adopted by John Polzin. Her early years were spent living along the east coast until her family returned the Medford area. Anna graduated from Medford High School in 1991. She worked in various positions, including as an in-home care provider and Warehouse Manager in the southern part of the state. Most recently, Anna was a homemaker and enjoyed caring for her family.

She also had a special love of cats, and raised many fur-babies over the years.

To those who knew her, Anna was the most beautiful woman in the world and she acted like she didn’t know. She loved many things; her cats, cooking, going camping or on picnics, fishing, tractor rides and pulls, and driving around jamming to music. She didn’t care what she was doing as long as she was having fun and was in the presence of her family. She was a loving mother and fiancée, a caring sister, a wonderful daughter, and the happiest person in the world. Anna had many great talents, such as making others laugh, her ability to find humor in the toughest situations and her ability to throw an insult and not only have a person laugh at it, but even like it. She will be missed for the rest of our family’s lives and will be in our prayers every night.

Anna is survived by one daughter, Ambrosia Loos of Athens; two brothers, John (Kristi) Polzin of Kronenwetter, Allan Light of Leesburg, FL., two sisters; Laura (Chris) Ludwig and Jessica (Mark) Campbell all of Medford. She has two step-brothers; John (Tammy) Wehe and Adam (Kelly) Wehe all of Medford, and a step-sister Lisa (Tim) Fox of Dorchester. She is also survived by her loving fiancée Clay “Gator” Frahm of Athens, her mom Sandy and her “Papa” Ray Wehe of Stetsonville, her dad John Polzin and step-mom Marcia “Mouse” Tomczyk of Medford. In addition, she also had many step-children and grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and many other relatives.

Anna was preceded in death by her father Michael Light, sister Donna Rene Light, grandparents; Melvin and Sylvia Blasel, Bernard and Lois Polzin, and John and Mary Light, and her ex-husband and best friend Jay Loos.?A celebration of life will be held on Monday, June 5, 2017 at Jerkwater Bar in Dorchester starting at 12pm until around 6pm.?Mid Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting family at this time.

Online condolences can be made at www.HonorOne.com

The Love I Lost, By Ambrosia Loos: There was one day when I said Hello, I never thought you would want to go. If I knew then what I know now, I wouldn’t have to end it with a bow. I love you, I always will. I never wanted to lose the thrill. Since you left I have been down, Now my expression is always a frown. Without you I feel alone, I grab the phone, No one is there. In my heart I feel a tear. I wish you were on the other end of that line. But you never are, because sometimes I feel that what we had was never real.

Merion J Markstrum

Merion J. Markstrum, 70, of Weston passed away on May 9, 2017 at Asprius Hospice House.

She was born to Reynold and Jean (Jones) Reetz on October 10, 1946.

She is survived by her sister Nancy Reetz, Eau Claire, WI.  She is preceded in death by her parents.

She worked at Wausau Insurance and also the family business driving for Reetz Air Freight for North Central Air Lines at CWA.  She had great passion for her K9 buddies and was a Canine Ambassador and wrote newsletters for the Kennel Club. She demo’d Nutro Max pet foods at area pet stores for several decades.  She also was a clerk and an assistant manager at Full Size Fashions in Cedar Creek Mall for years.

A Celebration of Life will be held at John J Buettgen Funeral Home on Thursday, May 18, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  On line condolences can be made at www.HonorOne.com