Obituaries are brought to you by Brainard Funeral Home & Cremation Center, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Inez Wheeler
Inez Wheeler passed away on November 16, 2017 with her children by her side. She was born in Whittlesy, WI on October 5, 1919, a year before women got the right to vote. Throughout her long and rich life, Inez exemplified love of family and the importance of having fun together, values that form a strong foundation for generations that follow her. She was a friend to many and an enthusiastic Packer and Badger fan.
Inez graduated from Marshfield high school in 1937 where she was the school’s only cheerleader. She attended Madison Business School. She married the late Eugene (Gene) Wheeler on January 1, 1942 in Reedsburg, WI. Gene’s career with A&P prompted the family to move to Wausau in 1961. Gene passed away unexpectedly in 1963 and Inez became a single mother to her three young children.
Inez worked for many years for Wausau Public Schools, serving as the first secretary of Riverview elementary school and then working in the district office. She was a Girl Scout leader, a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Eastern Star. She was an officer for many years of Back Your Jacks. She loved sports and was the number one fan of her children’s teams and of many Wausau East teams. She was a member of the Methodist church and later the Universalist Unitarian church.
Inez was preceded in death by her husband; parents Albert and Marie Lindow; siblings Leroy Lindow and Florine Milbrath, and many dear friends.
Survivors include her daughter Barbara Peterson of San Diego, CA; son Richard Wheeler (Lisa Reavill) of Bloomington, MN and son Thom Wheeler (Joan Kwako) of Duluth, MN; granddaughters, Paula Peterson Serbus (Jason) of Falls Church, VA; Kendra Peterson Deja (Jeff) of San Diego, CA; Paige Wheeler (Charlie Smith) of Minneapolis MN; Lindsey Wheeler Lee (Nicholas) of Minneapolis, MN; and Stella Inez Wheeler of Duluth, MN; and great grandsons Garrett Serbus, Louis Deja and Sam Deja. She will also be missed by her nieces, nephews and many great friends.
A Celebration of Life is planned for Memorial Day Weekend 2018. Memorials may be directed to the Gardens, c/o Homme Home Foundation, 604 South Webb St., Wittenberg, WI 54599.
Brainard Funeral Home and Cremation Center – Wausau Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be given at www.brainardfuneral.com
Inez’s family thanks the staff and friends at the Gardens, her home for the past five years, and the caregivers from Aspirus Hospice for their loving care of Inez to her last day.
Wayne Klimpke
Wayne W. Klimpke, 51, Athens died Sunday, November 26, 2017 at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Marshfield.
He was born December 7, 1965 in Wausau, son of Walter and Carol (Westphall) Klimpke, Athens.
Wayne started driving cement truck for Rietbrock Ready Mix and most recently drove for County Materials for many years. Some of his favorite pastimes included going out west in the mountains snowmobiling, driving his UTV and riding his motorcycle sight seeing. He was a very active member in the Athens Snopak and he took lots of pride in his groomed trails.
Survivors include his parents, Walter and Carol Klimpke, Athens, his children, Stephanie Klimpke, Edgar, Trevor Klimpke, Wausau, one grandson, Aiden Klimpke, Edgar, two sisters, Debra (Mark) Schilling, Athens and Audra Klimpke, Athens and one nephew, Kyle Schilling and one niece, Katlyn Schilling as well as many friends and coworkers.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Sunday, December 3, 2017 at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens. Friends may call on Saturday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and again on Sunday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services all at the Athens funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com
Joanne Nowitzke, 81, of Wausau, passed away om November 30, 2017. She was born to Raymond and Della (Kramm) Fellbaum on June 23, 1936.
Private family services will be held at a later date. Mid Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisiting family at this time.
Carol J. Pyke, 73, of Wausau, passed away on Sunday, November 26, 2017 at her home. She was born June 16, 1944 in Wausau to the late William and Bertha (Kopp) Kohl.
She is survived by her two sons; Randy Pyke, Kim Pyke, four daughters; Linda Imig, Bonnie Pyke (Todd Hutchison), Margaret Pyke, Jancy (Scott) Kleiber, all of Wausau, seventeen grandchildren and twenty seven great-grandchildren with three more great-grandchildren on the way. Besides her parents she is preceded in death by her brother Alvin Kohl, three sisters; Katherine Rainville, Doris Sefton, Virginia Smith and one grandson Tyler Kleiber.
Carol enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, listening to music and watching soaps.
Visitation will be held at John J. Buettgen Funeral Home, 948 Grand Avenue, Schofield on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. -6:00 p.m. John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting family at this time. On line condolences can be made at www.HonorOne.com
Ron Myer, 78, of Wausau, passed away November 25, 2017 at the New Beginnings Adult Family Home in Wausau.
Ron enjoyed spending time with all the other guys where he lived at the home, especially Brian. He loved going out to breakfast daily at the Tri City Restaurant. He also had a love for music where he would sing and did quite well and played the electric keyboard. As he got older he self-taught himself to knit and took great pride in making things for others and teaching them how to knit.
Private services will be held at a later date. Mid Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting New Beginnings Adult Family Home at this time.
Connie Lee Jones, 69, died peacefully on Thursday, November 23, 2017 at Aspirus Hospice House after an eight month battle with cancer. She was born on September 18, 1948, in Black River Falls, WI to Glenn and Mary Ellen (Bichler) Jenkins. She is survived by her husband Robert, son Paul, daughter-in-law Michele, her parents Glenn and Mary Jenkins, brother Hallet Jenkins, sisters and brothers-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Connie graduated from Sparta High School in 1966 and then attended UW-Stevens Point, where she met Bob. They were married on August 8, 1970, in Sparta.
She always wanted to be a teacher and realized that dream in 1970 by teaching fourth grade in the D.C. Everest District for five years until Paul was born. She then became a stay-at-home mom (teaching Paul, of course) for several years, returning to the classroom as a substitute until retiring in 2002.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Aspirus Cancer Center, Aspirus Hospital, Dr. Peterson and especially the staff at Aspirus Hospice House for the compassionate, loving care Connie received during her stay there.
Connie wanted no visitation or funeral. She simply wanted to be cremated, with a small memorial service at a later date. Mid Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting family at this time.
Beatrice A. Stelter, 91 of Eland, died on Tuesday, November 28, 2017 at Homme Home of Wittenberg.
Beatrice was born on February 21, 1926 in Waupaca County, the daughter of the late William and Olive (Hansen) Miller. On June 21, 1947, Beatrice was united in marriage to Homer Stelter in Wittenberg. He preceded her in death on January 7, 2004.
Beatrice cooked at many area restaurants. She also worked at a greenhouse as well as the local florists. Beatrice was an excellent pool shot. Her love of the game had her shooting pool in many area tavern leagues. Her greatest joy was taking care of her grandchildren.
Beatrice is survived by her children, Peggy Stelter of Wittenberg, Barbara Stelter of Clintonville, Dennis Stelter of Eland, Mary (Bill) Fandrey of Norrie and Linda (Jerry) Spaude of Eland; six grandchildren, Bill (Jessica) Fandrey Jr., April Fandrey, Matthew (Ashley Luczaj) Fandrey, Mike and Mandy Stelter and Jennifer (Craig) Brennan and great grandchildren, Griffin Fandrey, Cameron Fandrey, Bella Fandrey, Marcus Brennan, Jesse Luczaj and Jameson Fandrey; one brother, Ferdie (Sally) Miller of New Berlin and nieces, nephews and cousins.
Beatrice was preceded in death by her husband Homer; her parents William and Olive; a son Gerald and a brother Aloys Miller.
The funeral service will be held at 12noon on Friday, December 1, 2017 at Zion Lutheran Church, Eland. Rev. Michael Schram will officiate. Interment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery, town of Norrie, Marathon County.
Visitation will be on Friday from 10:00am until the time of service at the church. Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared at schmidtschulta.com or Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home on Facebook.
