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

Audrey M. Meitzner

Audrey Mildred Meitzner (nee Eastlund), age 89, died Wednesday, November 1, 2017 of complications from Alzheimer’s Disease at Gardenside Crossing, a loving and caring community at the North Central Health Care Facility. She was born on December 12, 1927, in Superior, Wisconsin to Goodwin and Kathleen Eastlund. The youngest of three children, she was pre-deceased by her sister, Shirley and her brother, James.

Beloved wife of Emil Meitzner for sixty six years, Audrey was the loving, creative, and eternally optimistic mother of eight children; Eric (Ann Andersen) Meitzner – Solon Springs, Wisconsin, Ann (Bob, deceased) Brooks – Wausau, Wisconsin, George Meitzner – Aurora, Colorado, Karl (Louise) Meitzner – Solon Springs, Wisconsin, Leonard Meitzner – Tucson, Arizona, Jane (Brad Kennedy) Dolan – Wausau, Wisconsin, Luther (Jill) Meitzner – Dayton, Ohio, and Andrew Meitzner – Wausau, Wisconsin. She was an adored and adoring grandmother to Maggie (Scott) Highhouse, Samuel Brooks, Norah (Jason) Brown, Kevin (Traci) Kennedy, Sunshine Meitzner, Catharine (Brett) Karow, Benjamin (fiancé Chelsea Mayton) Brooks, Jet Meitzner, Katie Kennedy (deceased), Erin (Lauren) Meitzner, Seth Meitzner, Erika Meitzner, Clara Kennedy, Kjersti Wendlandt and four step-grandchildren. Audrey left eleven great-grandchildren to share memories of her with Emil; Carmen Highhouse, Cole Highhouse, Baye Highhouse, Jackson Brown, Julian Brown, Annarose Brown, Owen Highhouse, Bradley Kennedy, Willow Highhouse, Deacon Brown, Myla Kennedy, and Baby Karow, soon to be born. She is also greatly missed by her beloved dog, Boris, who jumped onto her lap every day at Gardenside Crossing, and who does not know what the heck is going on now.

Emil and Audrey lived in Superior, Wisconsin for the first several years of their marriage. In 1967 they moved to a farm in Solon Springs, Wisconsin, where they raised cows, pigs, chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, goats, rabbits, horses and their children for the next forty-nine years. Audrey worked all her life and was proud of the fact that she never got paid a cent. In addition to keeping the family and farm running smoothly she worked as a Special Education Aide, transcribed Braille textbooks, gave Adult Literacy lessons, and had huge gardens that she harvested each year. She took classes in woodworking and made furniture for her home. She took a photography class and made a darkroom to process her own photography. She participated in women’s rights marches, LBGT marches, Pro-choice marches, and was a fierce advocate for those in need. After the kids left home, Audrey and Emil joined the Peace Corps and spent the following two and a half years in Botswana, Africa, followed by a six month world tour on their way back to Wisconsin. The farm then became their home base as they traveled to visit sons in Spain and Italy, and friends in India, Scotland, and several of the United States. Audrey took her last overseas trip to Moscow, in Russia, to attend an international music conference in 2006.

Audrey knew no borders and no labels. Every person she met and every place she travelled broadened her views and she welcomed that. At age seventy-two, she decided she wanted to play the accordion and, true to fashion, she did not jump in lightly. She not only learned to play, but became very involved with the World of Accordions Museum, including serving thirteen years on the Board of Directors. She was an avid seamstress, sewing clothes for her family, costumes for high school musicals, and elaborate doll clothes and toys which she gave as gifts and donated to various non-profit organizations. She passed this interest on to her grandchildren, patiently helping and teaching them to sew anything they chose. She was also an artist, creating paintings and photographs that showed the beauty in everyday life, from the farm in Solon Springs to the villages of Botswana. Audrey loved animals, especially her horses, dogs (Shep, Drags, Shep, Shep, Shep…), and cats (Gypsy, Gypsy, Gypsy, Walter, and Belle).

In 2015, Audrey and Emil moved to Wausau, Wisconsin. Audrey’s family would like to extend their gratitude to all of the staff at Gardenside Crossing/Mount View Nursing Home. We were humbled daily by their strength, compassion and loving care. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Audrey’s name to Gardenside Crossing at the North Central Health Care Facility.

Condolences may be given at www.brainardfuneral.com

Kirke Sauer

Kirke Sauer, 91, of Wausau passed away on Friday, November 3, 2017 at his home.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, November 10, 2017 at Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce St., Wausau. Reverend David Wetmore will officiate. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery will full military honors provided by VFW Burns Post #388. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services. You may sign our family guest book at helke.com.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Wausau East Band, 2607 N 18th St., Wausau, 54403.

Lois Geiger

Lois Geiger had a simple, unassuming personality who made friends easily. She enjoyed coloring, fishing and traveling. When Lois was younger, she loved the beach at the family cottage on Birch Lake in Harshaw.

Lois was born the youngest child of Aloysius and Margaret (Pupp) Geiger on February 10, 1955 in Wausau. For several years, she was employed at Northern Valley West, Wausau.

At the age of 62, Lois passed away at her home under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Service on Friday, November 3, 2017.

Survivors include her sister, Mary Rothmeyer of Wausau, three brothers, Adrian (Barbara) Geiger of Prescott, AZ, Arnold Geiger of Anchorage, AK, Edward Geiger of Circle Pines, MN, two sisters-in-law, Carol Geiger and Sandy Geiger of Wausau and many nieces and nephews. Lois was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Donald, sister, Barbara, brother-in-law, Ardin Rothmeyer and sister-in-law, Theresa Geiger.

The Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 8, 2017 at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, 1104 S. 9th Ave., Wausau. Father Robert Thorn will officiate. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Visitation will be at the church on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services. You may sign our family guest book at helke.com

We would like to thank Opportunity, Inc., especially the staff at Eagle’s View for the care and kindness they gave Lois and our family during her stay as well as Aspirus Hospice for their help and guidance.

Alice Christenson

Alice Christenson lived an active full life. She was an extremely talented woman, who was an expert seamstress, made beautiful crafts, porcelain dolls and even stained glass works. Her family meant the world to her especially during those special holidays, Christmas and Easter. Whether it was dancing to Polkas, whistling or humming the old “Spirituals”, Alice will be remember for her love of music.

She was born September 26, 1927 in the town of Hamburg to the late Carl and Hedwig (Zastrow) Bartelt. Alice married Walter Roesler on October 25, 1947 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, town of Hamburg. Together they dairy farmed while raising their children, Marlene, Sharon, David and Mark. Alice took care of her family by making the kid’s clothes, cooking, baking and canning from their large vegetable garden. She taught her children well through her lifelong experiences and common sense. After retiring from the farm in 1969, the family moved to Wausau with Alice working for her sister, Carolyn at Bridal and Formal Salon. On July 8, 1976, Walter passed away and ten years later, Alice met Clifford Christenson at a Polka dance. They married in June of 1986 at Trinity Lutheran Church and lived between Wausau and Mesa, AZ. Clifford passed away on July 9, 2016.

At the age of 90, Alice passed away at Azura Memory Care on Thursday, November 2, 2017 surrounded by her family.

Survivors include her children, Marlene (Nelson) Leatherwood of Scottsdale, AZ, Sharon (Russ) Long of Phillips, David (Ceeda) Roesler of Mosinee, Mark Roesler of Minneapolis, four stepchildren, Mary (Don) Leemhuis of Tuscaloosa, AL, David (Barb) Christenson of Mitchell, SD, Michael Christenson of Tucson, AZ and Lori (Kurt Vetter) Rahlf of Green Bay, twelve grandchildren, Rachel Gable, Alison (Dru) Dethlefs, Stacey (Aaron) Pinski, Luke (Brooke) Blaschka, Elijah Roesler, Corey Leemhuis, Lee Christenson, Lars (Rhonda) Christenson, Bradley Wellington, Jon Becker, Garrett Gantz, Erich Rahlf and twelve great grandchildren, Arianna Erdmann, Cole and Chase Gable, Audrey and Zachary Pinski, Alec Blaschka, Teya and Kylee Leemhuis, Chelsea and Mahayla Foos, Alexis and Kayden Christenson.

Alice was further preceded in death by her siblings, Leo, Rose, Laura, Arthur, Theodore, Charles, Doris, and Carolyn.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 8, 2017 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 501 Stewart Ave., Wausau. Reverend Zach Holdorf will officiate. Burial will be in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, town of Hamburg. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. 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.

We would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Azura for the wonderful care given to Alice and our family during her stay.

Memorial donations may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church or School.

Ethel Catherine Pupp

Ethel Catherine Pupp (nee Geiger), 93, passed away peacefully on the morning of October 28, 2017. It was exactly 75 years from the day she married the love of her life, Edward A. Pupp, in 1942 in Abbotsford, WI. Ed passed away in 2004. Ethel was born on February 25, 1924, the 16th of 17 children born to Francis Geiger and Anna Geiger (nee Metz) of Dorchester, WI.

She is survived by seven children, Harold (Gail) Pupp, Winchester, WI; Dale (Lanette) Pupp, Buford, GA; Carol Landrath, Stevens Point, WI; Roger (Marilynn Tsai) Pupp, San Francisco, CA; Glen (Darlene) Pupp of Weston, WI; Debra (Steven) Teske, Minocqua, WI; and Connie (Jim) Behnke, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA; 22 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. She is further survived by a younger brother, Leo Geiger of Loyal, Wi., almost one hundred nieces and nephews and their families.

Nothing gave Ethel more pleasure than her family. We have many beautiful memories of time spent with “Grandma” and “GG” as the great-grandchildren called her. Ethel was an avid reader and gardener and excelled at sewing, crafts, and embroidery. Every grandchild and great grandchild received a beautifully embroidered quilt upon birth and those quilts are treasured by all who received them.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 17, 2017 at the Church of St. Anne, Wausau. Entombment will be in the Garden of Eternal Rest, Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Visitation will be Thursday from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Avenue, Wausau, and again on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the Church of St. Anne, Wausau.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com

Loretta L. Hayek-Gill

Loretta L. Hayek-Gill, 83, Wausau, died peacefully on Thursday, November 2, 2017 at Aspirus Hospice House, Wausau, with family by her side.

She was born June 27, 1934 in Wisconsin, daughter of the late Frank and Emma (Paetsch) Gill. For many years, Loretta worked as a prep cook for several area restaurants and deli’s.

Survivors include, six children, Frank (Sandy) Hayek, Sheboygan, Debra (Dan) Brown, Sheboygan, Clarence Jr. (Ann Winchell) Hayek, Wausau, Wenzel (Annette) Hayek, Wausau, Corrina (Paul) Silva, Virginia and Suzette (Michael) Hafner, Hatley; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and one brother, Frank (Sherry) Gill, Michigan.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 6, 2017 at the Elmwood Cemetery, Antigo.

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

Walter Merwin Krause

Walter M. Krause, 76 of Curtiss passed away surrounded by his loving family at Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield on October 31, 2017. Walter was born July 24, 1941, son of Edwin and Marjorie (Raminger) Krause.  He married Lorna Luscher April 11, 2007. Survivors include his wife Lorna of Curtiss, daughters, La Tonia Smith of Owen, Crystal Chenier of Curtiss, Heather (Leighton) Drolshagen of Colby; Mother, Marjorie of Dorchester, one brother Robert Krause of Curtiss, and four sisters: Mary Ann (Gerald) Fisher of Hartford, Donna Nicks of Medford, Jean Krause of Dorchester, and Janice (Roger) Brandner of Medford.He was preceded in death by his father, Edwin, brother-in-law, Roger Nicks, sister-in-law, Norma and son- in-law, Fred Smith.

Walter received his education in the rural Curtiss schools from K to 8th grade; he graduated from Abbotsford High School in 1959. He started working in 1960 for the Clark County Highway Department until his retirement in 1998, in his 38 years at the Highway Department he gained many lifelong friends.  He served his country in the Army as Hand Supplier during the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1966.

Walter enjoyed his life on the farm raising pigs and Hereford Beef with his brother Bob.  He enjoyed raccoon and deer hunting seasons.  He loved watching western shows, Packer and Brewer games, and Bull riding shows.  He bragged too many about how he had freshly cleaned filleted fish dropped off at his doorstep along with fresh baked cookies in the early mornings of the day by his friend Barb.  Walter loved to play tricks on the grandkids, nieces, nephews, and great nieces and great nephews.  He enjoyed talking with company about deer and cropping season. He appreciated all that came to the farm and helped with the work.

Service will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Curtiss, WI on Saturday, November 11, 2017. Visitation will be held at 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Kenneth Schmidt officiating. Burial will take place at Pine Hill Cemetery in Curtiss with full military rites by Colby VFW Post #2227. A meal will follow at the Mayville Town Hall. John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting family at this time.

Erika Leigh Jones

Erika Leigh Jones, 42, officially got her angel wings on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017, at her home in Shoreline, Washington, with her parents and son at her side.

Erika was a loving mother, amazing friend, talented artist and fearless adventurer. Those who knew her described her as outgoing, accepting, loving, positive, spiritual, loyal and strong. Erika maintained those qualities to the end.

Erika was born on Jan. 31, 1975, in New London to Thomas B. and Janice R. (Craig) Jones, of Ogdensburg. She attended Manawa Elementary until 1985 when her family moved to Neenah. In 1993 Erika graduated from Neenah High School and later studied art at the University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley campus in Menasha.

When friends asked her to draw designs for their tattoos she quickly developed an interest in body art. She trained/worked at tattoo businesses in Oshkosh and Madison until 1998 when she followed her dreams and moved to Seattle. Once there she trained with one of the top female artists in the industry. She then returned to Wisconsin to live and work in Madison until 2002 when she was ready to return to Seattle and make her mark as a female tattoo artist.
Erika worked at Slave to the Needle and Hidden Hand Tattoo before she and a partner founded 522 Tattoo. That venture was very successful. In 2016 Erika established her own shop, Fair Warning Tattoo. Her logo was “Peppermint Tatty – Tattoos so sweet they make your teeth hurt.” She specialized in covering old or poorly done tattoos. Her talent and attention to client needs made her very popular.

Erika lived life to the fullest. She was an endlessly curious adventurer and traveled extensively for work and yoga. Some of her travels included the Galapagos Islands, Iceland, Germany, England, Spain and Bali. In 2013 she published “Inkasana,” a photo book featuring the strength and beauty of both yoga and body art. As a yoga devotee she earned her yoga instructor credentials in 2014 and enjoyed offering free classes to children.

Erika was a prolific artist, creating many unique and popular drawings and paintings. She loved Dr. Who, Bob’s Burgers, anything zombie related and all things Star Wars. She enjoyed collecting pins and other unusual memorabilia during her travels.

As much as she did in her life, Erika considered her greatest accomplishment the birth of her son Lincoln Avery Zingler in April 2009. She was a devoted mother, and he was the love of her life. On Oct. 30, 2010, she married Eric W. Zingler. They later separated.

In August 2016 Erika was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. Treatment was successful and she was cancer-free in May 2017. Her ordeal made Erika determined to do more to help people who have experienced the disfigurement of cancer treatment and surgery.

Erika had a passion for helping others heal and feel positive about themselves. She had done many tattoos to cover “self-harm” scars and planned to move her business back to Wisconsin where she would offer scar cover-ups, nipple replacement tattoos and other positive body art. In July 2017 she was diagnosed with brain cancer. That surgery was successful, but during follow-up gamma knife treatment, leptomeningeal cancer was found. She then underwent whole brain radiation, but the cancer had already spread. On Sept. 1 Erika returned to her home under the care of her parents, Providence Hospice services and support from many wonderful friends.

Erika is survived by her parents, Tom and Jan Jones; her son, Lincoln; and her brother, Craig (Tara) Jones. She is further survived by her godparents, Bill and Nancy Jones; aunts and uncles, John and Sandra Keener, Dan and Julie Jones, Roxann Jones, Joan and Larry Dumbleton, Jim Craig, Phil and Jill Brown; cousins, Kim Slater, Jennifer Swanson, Jessica Slater, Charles Slater, Christopher Dumbleton, Bryan Bonikowski, Steven Groat, Amy Craig, Jacob Craig, Dana Millis, Danielle Peterson, Jason Jones, Nathan Keener, Heather Discher and Joshua Jones; and many other family members. She also leaves behind hundreds of friends and loyal clients.

Erika was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Edward and Irene Craig; paternal grandparents, Emmett and Loretta Jones; and her uncles, Jock Craig and Jeff Jones.
Erika’s family would like to extend their gratitude to the entire staff at Swedish Hospitals in Seattle and to Providence Hospice for their amazing care and support during this difficult time.

It was Erika’s wish to be cremated and her ashes used to nourish an evergreen seedling. A memorial fund will be established in her son Lincoln’s name. Gifts in her name may also be sent to Volm Cancer Center in Antigo or a charity of your choice.

A celebration of Erika’s life will be held at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, November 14, 2017 at Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Wittenberg. Rev. Wes Jedras and Rev. Les Munnik will officiate. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 3:00 PM until the time of service at the funeral home. There will be a gathering with refreshments immediately following the service.
Memories and condolences may be shared at schmidtschulta.com or at Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home on Facebook.