Wausau area obituaries, July 24-31

Obituaries are brought to you by Brainard Funeral Home & Cremation Center, with locations in Wausau and Weston.

Wausau area obituaries from July 24 to July 31, 2017:

Thomas Walters

Thomas “Red” Walters, 71, of Wausau, joined his heavenly family on Thursday, July 27, 2017. He was born in Wausau on September 9, 1945 to the late Gordon and Mary (Jankovich) Walters. Red served his Country honorably in the United States Army from December 31, 1962 until December 30, 1968. He received both a Vietnam Service Metal, as well as a Good Conduct Medal 1st Award. But life didn’t really begin for Red until he met and married the love of his life, Joanie Beckman. They united in marriage on February 1, 1969.

Red was a true sports fan but he was truest to his beloved Green Bay Packers, attending two Superbowls to cheer them on. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing. Most important to Red was his family and friends. He would join his friends every morning at McDonalds for coffee or stop in by his Loppnow family for some good conversation. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and made sure to let everyone know how much he loved them in his own way. He will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Red is survived by his wife of 48 years, Joanie; his two children, Traci (Mitchell) Ellenbecker and Steve Walters, both of Wausau; grandchildren, Jordan, Dylan and Cole Ellenbecker and Alexis and McKenzie Walters; brother David (significant other Denise Travis) of Wausau; and his sisters, Carol (Richard) Larsen of LaCrosse, June (Duane) Bonke of Merrill and Betty Gardner of Wausau. He is further survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Beside his parents, Red was preceded in death by his sister Janet Walters and his two brothers, Brian and Richard.

A funeral service will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 3, 2017 at Brainard Funeral Home Wausau-Chapel, 522 Adams Street. Visitation will take place from 4:00 p.m. until the time of services at the funeral home. Burial will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 4, 2017 at Restlawn Memorial Park, T4710 Troy Street, Wausau. Military Honors will be given by the Wausau American Legion Montgomery-Plant Dudley Post 10.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the family to be given to a charity of their choice.

Maynard G. Huber

Maynard G. Huber, 85, of Weston, passed away peacefully on July 26 surrounded by his family, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

He was born on March 4, 1932, in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, to George and Mary (Tremel) Huber. He married Lucille Binsfeld, his loving wife of 60 years, on June 29, 1957.

A U.S. Army Veteran, Maynard proudly served his country during the Korean War. He worked for Hamilton Manufacturing in Two Rivers, and 28 years for Wisconsin Public Service in Green Bay and Weston, retiring at the age of 62. Maynard served as an usher at Saint Therese Catholic Church in Rothschild.

One of his favorite pastimes was spending time with family, while enjoying the outdoors. He loved camping, fishing, hiking, boating and topping the day off with a one-of-a-kind Maynard Campfire. He was always happy to babysit the grandchildren. Maynard was incredibly handy. He loved to tinker in the garage and could build or fix anything.

Maynard is survived by his wife, Lucille, five children – Ron (Leeanne) Huber, Mary Huber, Deb (John) Klug, Dennis (Deb Higgins) Huber and Steve (Erin) Huber, nine grandchildren; Dr. Emily Klug, Ben Klug, Jake Klug, Sam Klug, Zack Higgins, Ellie Huber, Will Huber, Matt Huber and Charlie Huber, two sister-in-laws; Inge Huber and Hilda Huber and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Francis Huber and Gerald Huber.

Services will be held Monday, July 31, at Saint Therese Catholic Church, 113 W. Kort Street, Rothschild, WI. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the funeral mass at 11 a.m., with Father Louis Britto officiating. Interment will be at Restlawn Memorial Park in Wausau. Brainard Funeral Home – Everest Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.

The family would like to thank Dr. Ryan Gossett, the staff of Rennes Health & Rehab Center, and the staff of the Aspirus Wausau Hospital Palliative Care Unit for their care and compassion.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Saint Therese Parish or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Marcella Bergs

Marcella A. Bergs, 93, of Rothschild passed away on Monday, July 24, 2017 at Pride TLC.
She was born in Athens on October 22, 1923 to the late Nick and Mathilda (Luedtke) Rausch. She was baptized, made her first communion, confirmed and married all at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Athens. She married Joseph W. Bergs on November 6, 1943.

He preceded her in death January 14, 1981.

Marcella and Joseph farmed until 1978, after which they moved to Marshfield. Her hobbies included bingo, playing cards, baking and gardening. She was a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and Homemakers Club of Edgar. She volunteered for many years at the KC Hall of Marshfield. Marcella was known for baking bread and always had cookies in the house for her grandchildren. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were very special to her and she wanted everyone to know she loved them all.

Marcella is survived by four sons: Charles (Sharon) Bergs of Kronenwetter, Michael (Sandy) Bergs of Edgar, Matthew Bergs of Burlington and Daniel (Mary) Bergs of Stratford; daughter Darlene (Michael) Jansen of Kronenwetter; nine grandchildren: Robin (Andy) Clark of Monterey, CA; Jeff (Staci) Bergs of Mosinee; Scott (Sally) Jansen of Weston; Tania (Jake) Kilpatrick of Appleton; Nicole (Dan) Goff of Hatley; Lindsay (Henry) Sanchez of Texas; Allyson Griffith of Grapevine, Texas; Tarah (Steve) Cunningham of Marathon and Nicholas Bergs of Stratford; great-grandchildren: Abby and Sam Clark, Miah, Avah and Joseph Bergs; Morgan, Annika and Ashlyn Jansen; Emma and Alix Kilpatrick; Kaden and Kenna Goff. She is further survived by her two sisters Adeline Gaurke of Athens and Mary Ann Milka of Cool, California and her sister-in-law Josephine Bergs of Edgar, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Beside her parents and husband she was preceded in death by her daughter, Carmen Griffith and her brother, Lawrence Rausch.

Funeral Mass will take place at 12:00 noon on Friday, July 28, 2017 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 6101 Zinser Street, Weston. The Rev. Greg Bohren will officiate. Visitation will be from 9:00 am until the time of services at the church. Burial will take place at the Holy Family Cemetery in Poniatowski.

The family would like to thank the staff at Ascension St. Clare Hospital and Pride TLC of Weston for the wonderful care they gave to our mother.

Brainard Funeral Home – Everest Chapel, 5712 Memorial Court, Weston is assisting the family with arrangements.

Condolences may be given at www.brainardfuneral.com

Robert “Bob” G. Layman

Robert “Bob” Gilmore Layman, 84, Wausau, passed away in his sleep at home, Friday, June 30, 2017.

Bob was born April 8, 1933, Merrill Route 3, son of the late Clarence Emerald Earl Layman and Leona Ann Layman (née Zastrow), the eldest of seven children.
Bob attended Merrill public school before serving his country in the United States Air Force. He worked for J. W. Perry Co., Merrill, and Wausau Papers, Brokaw, before beginning a life-long career as an independent truck-driver and entrepreneur. Bob’s career accomplishments chronologically, included: Hauled mobile and modular homes throughout the Midwest and along the ALCAN Highway to Fairbanks, Alaska; Hauled red granite, road salt, and fertilizer throughout central and northern Wisconsin. He operated a granite pit in Marathon County and built numerous crop dusting runways for area potato farmers; Provided the house truck for The House of Merrill and Consolidated Building Service; Founded Rib Mountain Arctic Sports, selling new and used snowmobiles, parts and accessories, and servicing all types of machines; Founded Imperial Growers, Inc., a trucking company hauling fresh and frozen produce from the Midwest to Metropolitan New York City. He lived and worked on the East Coast for nearly thirty years; and enjoyed carrying a valid Commercial Driver’s License up to the time of his death.

The Man in Black. On Bob’s first trip to Alaska he happened upon a tailor in Dawson Creek, BC. He had the proprietor make him a set of custom black work slacks and black button-down shirts with two extra deep pockets. Bob then found black gaucho boots from Brazil in a mail order catalogue. Along with his ever-present chain-drive wallet, his signature look was complete. Long past his Canadian travel days he continued his long distance wardrobe orders and was indelibly recognizable.

Bob had an unmistakable voice, offered unapologetically blunt opinions, and had a uniquely colorful vocabulary. He loved to recall his hardscrabble depression-era upbringing especially tales of his boyhood farm chores, his seven mile walk to school and back home again (uphill both ways), and his father’s no-nonsense work ethic.
Bob is survived by four children from his first marriage, to Janice Mae Gaugush (née Post); Scott Robert, New York, NY; Sheri Lynn Shade, Green Bay; Debra Sue, Wausau; Timothy Mark, Wausau. He is also survived by one son from a second marriage, to Carol Jean Vedner (née Kresbach): Chas Luke, Wausau. Both marriages ended in divorce. He is further survived by three grandsons, and four granddaughters. Other survivors include brothers Jack Brian, Merrill; Donald Laverne, Wausau; Allen Louis, Chesterton, IN; and one sister Sharon (Raymond) Mundt, Tomahawk.

Besides his parents, Bob was preceded in death by one brother, Maurice, and one sister Janice Berdan.

Visitation will be held and friends may call from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, July 28, 2017 at Brainard Funeral Home – Wausau Chapel, 522 Adams Street, Wausau, WI.

Online condolences may be given at www.brainardfuneral.com.

Dad, grandpa, and close friend: May your blue eyes and bright smile shine eternal. We love you and will miss you. You will forever be in our hearts.

Matthew T. Stennett

Matthew T. Stennett, 34, of Hatley passed away on Thursday, July 27, 2017.
Matt was born in Wausau on May 26, 1983 to Carl and Deb Stennett. Following in his dad’s footsteps, Matt attended Fox valley Technical College after graduating high school and got his Journeyman’s as an electrician.

Matt was a loving son, brother, grandson, uncle and friend. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing and hunting. He loved to tinker, often starting a new project before the last project was even finished. But most important to Matt was his family and friends, nothing meant more to him then hanging out with those he cared about.

He is survived by his parents, Carl (Sue Purull) Stennett of Weston and Debra (Scott Marshall) Stennett of Hatley; his sister Rebecca (Lucas Kollross) of Schofield; brothers, Jacob (Amy) of Galloway and Ethan (Jenna Windorski) of Hatley; grandmother, Clo Kort of Milwaukee; step sisters, Theresa Bauer of Tomah and Stephanie Purull of Schofield; nieces, Terika and Crysta Stennett; step-nieces and nephew, Kylee Bloomingdale, Julianne Pyke and Arik Bauer and his special friend, Stephanie Weber of Stevens Point.

Matt was preceded in death by his grandfather, Wallace Kort.

A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at St. Florian Catholic Parish, 500 Church Ln, Hatley, WI 54440. The Rev. Greg Bohren will officiate. Visitation will take place from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Burial will take place on Wednesday in the Parish cemetery.

Online condolences may be given at www.brainardfuneral.com

Ervin Kolpitcke

Ervin Kolpitcke, 95, of Wausau passed away on Thursday, July 27, 2017 under the care of Interim Hospice.

He was born February 25, 1922 in Wausau to the late Michael and Lena (Schwittay) Kolpitcke. Ervin was a graduate of Wausau High School. He was a veteran of WWII. Ervin was a Sergeant in the U.S. Army and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He also served in the Army Reserve for 36 years and was an expert marksman. Ervin was a member of the American Legion Montgomery Plant Dudley Post #10 and Lifetime Member of VFW Burns Post #388. Upon his return from service, he began working as a teller at First American National Bank. On October 8, 1949, Ervin married Alice Dahlke at Trinity Lutheran Church, Wausau. They raised two sons, Kirk and Kevin with Ervin working as manager of Monroe Calculator Co. He served as former Wausau Alderman and Marathon County Supervisor. Ervin was a member of the United Commercial Travelers and Marathon County Ag Society. After retiring, Ervin and Alice enjoyed traveling, especially their trips to England.

Survivors include his two sons, Kirk (Helen) of Rib Mountain, Kevin of Wausau, grandson, Michael of Rib Mountain and two sisters, Arlene Loeffel and Delores Sherbert, both of Wausau. He was preceded in death by his wife Alice, sister, Beatrice Duranceau and four brothers, Harry, Melvin, David and Donald.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 501 Stewart Ave., Wausau. Reverend Gary Schultz will officiate. Entombment will be in Garden of Eternal Rest Mausoleum at Restlawn Memorial Park with full military honors performed by VFW Burns Post #388. Visitation will be at the church on Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services. You may sign our family guest book at helke.com.

Memorials may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church.

Alice Kuhnert

Alice E. Kuhnert, 89, Weston, went home to heaven on Wednesday, July 26, 2017 at Rennes Health and Rehab Center, Weston under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.

She was born on September 13, 1927 in Wausau to the late Robert and Emma (Zarht) Kuhnert.

Alice retired from the GTE telephone company after 40 years of service.

Alice loved to help people her entire life. Worldly possessions meant little to her. She was a faithful worker, caregiver and philanthropist. Alice also loved to travel.

Survivors include her two sisters, Arline (Kuhnert) Sorenson and Hazel (Kuhnert) Kell; nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Melvin and Robert Jr. Kuhnert and one infant sister, Doris Kuhnert.

A memorial service for Alice will be at 11:00 AM on Friday, August 4, 2017 at Zion Lutheran Church, Town of Easton. Pastor Ryan Fehrmann will officiate. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until the time of service on Friday at the church. Burial will follow the service in the church cemetery. Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements; you may sign our family guestbook at helke.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Bethesda Lutheran Communities (600 Hoffman Drive, Watertown, WI 53094) or to the Wisconsin Valley Lutheran High School (601 Maple Ridge Road, Mosinee, WI 54455).

A heartfelt word of thanks goes to the nurses and staff of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services for their compassionate care of Alice over the past few months of her life.

Ying X. Thao

Sponsored by Wausau Area Funeral Care