Obituaries are brought to you by Brainard Funeral Home & Cremation Center, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Richard Burns
Richard Timothy Burns, 83, of Weston, passed away peacefully at Aspirus Wausau Hospital on Monday, September 11, 2017.
A lifelong resident of the Wausau area, Richard was born April 10, 1934 to the late Reed and Sophia (Krohn) Burns. After high school, Richard enlisted in the Marine Corps. After serving, he married the late Janet Woytasik on July 9, 1955 and together they had four children: Gail, Michael, Joan and Jean. Richard dedicated his life to being an over the road truck driver, and in retirement, drove dump truck part-time. Richard loved relaxing, watching TV and reading the newspaper in his favorite place- his recliner. Although he was a quiet man, Richard enjoyed shooting guns and having a few drinks with his buddies. He also enjoyed spending time with family- spending much of his time playing My Little Ponies on the arm of his chair with his peanut, Chloe.
Richard is survived by his children: Jean (Walter) Lashua, Michael (Julie) Burns and Gail Camillo; four grandchildren: Taylor (Mitchell Hartman) Lashua and her daughter Chloe, Michael Burns, Jr., Erica Schmoll, and Sarah Schmoll and her three children; brothers: Bill (Helen) Burns and Riggy (Irene) Burns; and sister: Patricia Rose. He is preceded in death by his wife, parents, daughter Joan Schmoll, grandson Marcus, brother Leroy Burns, and sisters Jane Kort, Rosemary Bartelt and Pearl Dupree.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, September 15, 2017 at 11:00am at St. Therese Catholic Church, 113 W. Kort Street, Rothschild. Visitation will be Thursday, September 14 from 5:00pm-7:00pm at Brainard Funeral Home- Weston Chapel, 5712 Memorial Court, Weston and again from 10:00am until the time of service on Friday. Burial will follow Mass at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made out to the family.
Doris E. Borchardt
Doris Elaine (Behnke) Borchardt, 92, Wausau, passed away Sunday September 10, 2017 at Benedictine Living Community, Wausau.
She was born July 24, 1925, in Wausau, daughter of the late Otto and Inah (Wendorf) Behnke. On May 31, 1947, she was united in marriage to Gustav Borchardt at St. Peter Lutheran Church in the town of Wausau. He preceded her in death.
Doris was a lifelong member of St. Peter Lutheran Church, town of Wausau. She was a member of the Ladies Aide, church choir, Altar Guild, teacher, substitute teacher for Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and also served on the Cradle Roll Board. Doris and Gustav were dairy farmers for many years in the town of Wausau. She enjoyed her flowers, playing cards, cooking and canning. She also enjoyed the time she spent waitressing at Colonial Ballroom.
But what Doris was best at and enjoyed the most was singing and playing her guitar which she started playing with her sister Betty at the age of 14. Later, they formed the “Family Trio Band” with her son, Jeff.
Survivors include her children, Sandra (Mike) Schmidt, Fremont, Lou Ann (Glenn) Schubring, Wausau, Jeffrey (Carla) Borchardt, Ringle, Dennis (Renae) Hafenbreadl, Schofield; eight grandchildren, Shana Styer, Kimberely (Jason) Heaton, Tanya (Scott) Strek, Tara (Daniel) Weber, Dana Prahl, Deana Borchardt, Darin Borchardt, Mark (Kim) Hafenbreadl, Kurt Hafenbreadl; 20 great grandchildren; one sister, Betty Szuminski, Wausau.
Besides her parents and husband, Gustav, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Donna M. Krueger and one grandson, Chad.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday September 18, 2017 at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 7505 N. 33rd St., Wausau. Rev. Scott Holoubek will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau and again on Monday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com
Mary J. Kluz
Mary J. Kluz, 90, Wausau died Monday September 11, 2017 at Ascension St. Clare’s Hospital, Weston. Mary was born July 27, 1927 to the late Michael and Katherine (Paszkot) Koziol in Gunther, WI. She married Rudolph Kluz Sr. on Dec. 29, 1947 in Knowlton. Rudolph preceded her in death on October 27, 1997.
Mary was a hardworking woman! In her youth she worked with her father in a sawmill and on the family dairy farm. Mary took great pride in her flower gardens and her sewing skills. She also loved politics. Being a woman of strong faith, she always had a positive outlook on life. Mary worked at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in Wausau for over 15 years.
Survivors include her four daughters, Marge Gureski, Sue Eggebrecht, Mary (Evan) Lang and Barbara (Jason) Seliger; four sons, Rudolph Jr. (Barbara) Kluz, Raymond Kluz, Jeffrey (Renee) Kluz and Peter (Ashley) Kluz; 23 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Francis (Stanley) Peternell.
She was also preceded in death by her son, Michael, son-in-laws, Stanley Gureski and Dale Eggebrecht; daughter-in-law, Julie Kluz; a brother and three sisters.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday Sept. 18, 2017 at St. Michael Catholic Church, Wausau. Rev. James Schaefer will preside. Entombment will be at Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Wausau is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com
Albert Goetsch
Albert Goetsch, 89, of Merrill passed away on Saturday, September 9, 2017 at Benedictine Living Community of Wausau.
He was born August 1, 1928 in Wausau to the late Theodore and Matilda (Radtke) Goetsch. Albert was a veteran with the U.S. Army. On July 1, 1950, he married Beverly Klieber at Trinity Lutheran Church, Wausau. For twenty years they owned and operated the Red Granite Tavern on Hwy K. Albert also worked in the road maintenance department for the Town of Maine until retiring in 1980. Albert was a kind, caring man who had an easy going personality and wonderful sense of humor which resulted in many friendships over the years. He and Beverly loved going on yearly Las Vegas trips with their friends. Albert enjoyed deer hunting, fishing and watching the Brewers and Packers. He always looked forward to playing his weekly Sheepshead cards with the boys.
Survivors include his son, Steve (Laurie) Goetsch of Merrill, one grandson Christopher of Mauston, two step grandchildren, Amber Slozes of Madison and William Boutin of Minocqua and sister-in-law, Marlene Goetsch of Wausau. He was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly, brother, Ted and two sisters, Emily Schmitt and Marion Billington.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 13, 2017 at Faith Lutheran Church, 15425 S. Hwy K., Merrill. Rev. Dr. Paul Hunsicker will officiate. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Tuesday at the Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce St., Wausau and at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services. You may sign our family guest book at helke.com.
Donna Mae Kraemer
Donna Mae Kramer, age 85, passed away on September 9, 2017, under the care of Aspirus Hospital, Wausau.
Donna was born on June 29, 1932, in Wausau, WI, daughter of the late Carl and Heilma Rydell. After graduating from Wausau High School she then married David E. Kramer on September 12, 1953. She and her husband of 64 years lived in Wausau, WI, while wintering in Apache Junction, Arizona.
She was blessed to be a homemaker for her family in addition to working at Family Physicians Clinic in the record department.
Donna also took extreme pride as a professional sewer of custom draperies for over 40 years, along with sewing many gifts for family and friends. She enjoyed cooking her famous Swedish meatballs and cinnamon raisin sweet rolls.
She adored spending time with her family, friends, and church family both in WI and Arizona. Her grandchildren and great-grandsons brought many smiles and happy memories into her life.
Together Donna and David enjoyed traveling, spending time with their cat Mitzi and attending car shows.
Donna will be dearly missed by her sons, Mark (Karey) Kramer, Michael (Wanda) Kramer both of Wausau, WI. Her seven grandchildren, Leah (Kyle) Alters, Jessie Kramer, Luke (Emilyann) Kramer, James (Kimberly) Kramer, Anna Kramer, Jared Kramer and Adam Kramer; and seven great children. She also was well loved by numerous nieces and nephews. Along with her parents she was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Sue Ann, son, John Kramer, a former Wausau Police Officer, sister, Hilder Horn, and three brothers; Leonard, Ed and John Rydell.
Funeral services will be Saturday, September 16, 2017 at 10:30 am at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 600 Stevens Dr. Wausau, WI 54401. Pastor Bruce Lamont will officiate. Family will receive friends from 9:00 am until the time of service at the church. Burial will be in Restlawn Cemetery.
Online condolences may be expressed at helke.com
The family wishes to thank the Aspirus Palliative Care staff for the care they provided Donna.
Darlene Westcott
Darlene Y. Westcott, 79, of Wausau, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Saturday, September 9, 2017, at Mount View Care Center – Vent Unit.
She was born in Wausau on April 11, 1938 to the late Frank and Viola (Schroeder) Glasel. Darlene attended Zion Lutheran School and graduated from Wausau High School in 1957. Darlene met the love of her life, Richard, and they exchanged wedding vows on September 10, 1959. She went to join him in heaven the day before their 58th wedding anniversary to dance together to their favorite song, “What a Wonderful World.”
Darlene worked in the Payroll Department at Wausau Insurance until her retirement. She most enjoyed her working days at lunch hour playing Sheepshead with her coworkers where she developed lifelong friends who still met monthly to play cards including playing with Darlene at Mount View. Darlene enjoyed golf, playing scrabble with her children, and was an avid Brewers fan. She was active with her husband, Richard, in the Wausau Elks Lodge #248 and they were awarded numerous honors for their volunteer contributions to the area community. Every month she went out to lunch with her cousins. Darlene had a friendly personality and infectious sense of humor that made it easy for her to make friends. She continued to develop those friendships and brighten other residents’ lives while at Mount View. She also enjoyed the honor of giving speeches at Wausau Insurance, for class reunions, and at many community functions with a sense of style and writing that is still revered today.
Family, family gatherings, and gatherings of friends were of huge importance in Darlene’s life. She will be dearly missed.
Survivors include her children, Dan (Karen) Westcott, Darcey Westcott, and Darla (Craig) Zastrow, all of Wausau; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brother, Lee (Phyllis) Glasel of LaCrosse; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; and parents, Frank and Viola.
A funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, September 15, 2017, at Zion Lutheran Church, 709 Sixth St., Wausau, with Rev. Steven Gjerde officiating. Family and friends may call beginning at 10:30 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Burial will follow in Mechanics Ridge Cemetery, Town of Wausau.
You may sign the family guestbook at www.helke.com.
Deborah “Debbie” Keranen
Deborah “Debbie” Keranen, age 61, of Schofield, Wisconsin, passed away on Sunday (September 10, 2017) at St. Clare’s Hospital after a long struggle with illness. She quietly moved on to a better place with her loved ones by her side. Deb shared her life with her soul mate Richard W. Keranen for forty beautiful years. Deb was born on March 23, 1956 to Lucille I. Gavinski (Hintz) and Joseph M. Gavinski who preceded her in death.
She leaves behind her beautiful daughters Michelle Baldwin and Crystal Keranen and her grandchildren Willow and Richard with whom she loved with her entire being. Her special loving kindness will be forever missed by her sisters Cindy Wilke, Donna Gottung, Shirley Gavinski, Julie (James) Mondroski, and Tami Jo Gavinski and her godmother Patricia (Raymond) Stroik. She cared dearly for all of her nieces and nephews since her heart was always filled with love.
She held very closely to heart her husband Richard’s family, Delores Keranen, Connie and Dave Keranen, Carol and Mark Janisse, Eddie and Dennis Stark, John Keranen, Bob and Karen Keranen and Joel Keranen with a special mention to Paul and Charles Keranen who preceded her in death.
A celebration of her life will be held at John J. Buettgen Funeral Home located at 948 Grand Ave. Schofield, WI 54476 from 4:00-6:00 pm on Friday, September 15 with prayers and remembrance at 5:00.
