Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home & Cremation Center, with locations in Wausau and Weston.

Jack Starzinski

Jack W. Starzinski, 78, of Wausau, passed away on Friday, January 19, 2018 at Azura Memory Care in Rib Mountain.

Jack was born in Wausau on April 7, 1939 to the late Martin and Evelyn (McCormick) Starzinski. After graduating from Wausau High School, Jack went on to join the United States Air Force, where he served his Country honorably for 23 years. For his service, Jack was awarded the Air Force Good Conduct Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Army Good Conduct Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 7 Bronze Service Stars, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Republic Coats of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at Restlawn Memorial Park, 4710 Troy Street, Wausau, WI 54403. The Reverend Joy Nelson-Jeffers will officiate.

Military Honors will be given by the American Legion Montgomery-Plant-Dudley Post 10.

Donald Erwin Voge died January 23, 2018.

A private memorial service is being held at Brainard Funeral Home – Everest Chapel, who is assisting the family with arrangements.

Ken Rajek

Kenneth Rajek, 68, Rothschild, died Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at his home, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.
He was born July 14, 1949 in Wausau, son of Angeline (Lang) Rajek of Marathon and the late Raymond Rajek. On May 5, 1990, he married Mary (O’Connor) Dunaway at St. Mark Catholic Church, Rothschild. She survives.
Ken was a 1967 graduate of Newman High School and furthered his education at North Central Technical College where he completed the Marketing Program in 1969. Throughout his life, he worked in marketing and sales for Wausau Homes, the Journal Sentinel, WRIG, was manager for Seehafer Broadcasting and retired from WSAW radio in January of 2013.
For 22 years, Ken was a member of the Army National Guard in the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team and served as 1st Sergeant with the 132nd Tank Batallion. He was a longtime member of the American Legion Department of Wisconsin, past member of the Wausau Noon Optimist Club, past member of Junior Achievement and member of the Wisconsin Valley Woodturners.
In his younger years, Ken enjoyed deer hunting and most recently, his hobbies included woodworking, fishing and watching the Packers, Brewers and Badgers. Ken was a “Grill Master” and enjoyed watching cooking shows, experimenting with recipes from different restaurants and going out for a Friday night fish fry.
Survivors include, his loving wife of 27 years, Mary Rajek, Wausau, his mother, Angeline Rajek, Marathon; two children, Wesley Rajek, Wausau and Lindsey (Eric) Payne, Missouri and their children Jack and Sophia; three step-children, Maureen Dunaway, Minnesota and her daughter, Aileen Nadeau, Brent (Nga) Dunaway, Minnestota and their children, Tu Linh Kieu and Nghia Linh Kieu, and Heather Dunaway, Oregon; five siblings, Bob (Louise) Rajek, Wausau, David (Mary) Rajek, Marathon, Susan Robl, West Bend, Sally Rajek, Marathon and Mike Rajek, Weston; brothers and sisters-in-law, Lisa Rajek, Wausau, Dennis (Pam) O’Connor, Maribel, Wis., Kathleen (Heidi) O’Connor, Washington, Elizabeth (Al) Burt, Virginia and Connie (John) O’Connor, Manitowoc; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Besides his father, he was preceded in death by his brother, Bill Rajek; and brother-in-law, Ken Robl.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at St. Mark Catholic Church, Rothschild. Rev. Allan L. Slowiak will preside. Visitation will be on Friday from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Avenue, Wausau and again on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until time of services at the church. There will be a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services, 520 North 32nd Avenue, Wausau, WI 54401.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com
A special thanks to Bruce Grau and the staff of Aspirus Palliative Care and Hospice for their attentive care. Ken was very appreciative for all that you did for him.

Linda Kay Williams

It is with great sadness that the family of Linda Kay Williams of Edgar, WI, announces her passing on Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at the age of 50. She will forever be remembered by her husband Brian; her children, Jesse, Heather and RJ; step-sons, Justin and Nathan Williams; and her grandchildren, Xander and Josselyn.

Linda was born February 15, 1967 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania to Kenny and her late mother Jean “Sue” Vest. She is survived by her brothers Kenny Jr. and Ricky Vest, who both reside in West Virginia.

Later moving to Wisconsin, she settled in and called it home. Her giving and charismatic personality made her great at her job in the service industry, where she met many of her longtime friends and the love her life Brian. A love that was made whole June 20, 2009.

Never once showing weakness in her longtime battle with rheumatoid arthritis, Linda powered through it. She was someone who motivated others to be the best they could possibly be. No matter what, she did her best to give love and support to those she cared for.

Linda’s passions centered around her family. Nothing made her happier than sitting with her kids and grandchildren, watching them laugh and play. It was her selflessness, kindness and pure loving devotion that we will never forget and always hold in our hearts.

The family wants to give special thanks to the wonderful medical staff at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at St. Stephen Evangelical Lutheran Church, Edgar, WI. Rev. Gail Sowell will officiate. Visitation will be from 9:30 am until time of service at the church.

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

In lieu of flowers, the family is respectfully asking for monetary donations.

Kermit Bloch

Kermit Bloch, 80, of the town of Hamburg passed away on Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at Marshfield Medical Center.

He was born June 5, 1937 in Wausau to the late Edward and Esther (Krenz) Bloch.  Kermit was a graduate of Athens High School.  Through the years he learned how to operate just about any kind of heavy equipment and operated those trucks, graders, plows and end loaders for 20 years for Marathon County Highway Department.  On April 26, 1958, Kermit married Lynette Thurs at Trinity Lutheran Church, town of Stettin.  They made their home in Hamburg raising their three sons, Bryan, Mark and Darrin.  He loved those boys.  From salmon fishing, bear and deer hunting, cutting wood, making sausage, cooking maple syrup, playing cards or becoming members of the Triple S Hunting Club at their shack in Newood, Kermit took great pride in showing them the things he treasured most.

In his younger years, Kermit served in the Firefighting Division in the Army Reserve as well as a long-time volunteer for the Hamburg Fire Dept.  In 1990, Kermit and Lynette became part owners of the North Forest Campground in Tomahawk for 19 years and enjoyed camping with their family and friends.

Survivors include his wife, Lynette, three sons, Bryan (Gail) Bloch of Hamburg and their family, Heather (fiancé-Ryan Egan), Ashley (Jason) Baeseman and Danielle, Mark (Laurie) Bloch of Hamburg and their children, Korey, Kyle (Samantha) and their sons, Mason, Gracin and Dawson, Darrin (special friend, Lori Josiger) Bloch

of Hamburg and his family, Coleton (fiancé-Mickey Knoll) and Morgan, his brother, Kenneth (Deloris) Bloch of Athens, brother-in-law, Duke (Marlene) Thurs of Rice Lake, many nieces and nephews and special companion, Dozer.  Kermit was preceded in death by his sister, Althea Balz.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 329 Cty. Hwy. A, Hamburg.  Reverend Philip  Bogen will officiate.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.  Visitation will be Monday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce St., Wausau and 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.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.

Kathryn Viola Jensen

Kathryn V. Jensen, formerly of Birnamwood, donned her angel wings on January 26, 2018 to be reunited with her husband Roger, the love of her life.

She was born on October 7, 1925 in Winter, WI, the daughter of the late Herbert and Grace (VanAlstine) Whiting.

On March 29, 1947, Kathryn was united in marriage to Roger Jensen at Zion Lutheran Church, Eland. He preceded her in death on January 15, 2006.

Kathryn graduated from the Business Institute of Milwaukee as an accountant. She worked at Davis and Thompson in Milwaukee until the couple moved to Eland where she worked for Consolidated Badger in Wittenberg. Kathryn was a faithful member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Birnamwood and it’s Ladies Aid. She was a meticulous homemaker, avid gardener and an astute writer. Kathryn enjoyed family get-togethers at Mayflower lake and cross word puzzles.

Survivors include five children, Dennis (Anna) Jensen of Florida, Donald (Debbie) Jensen of Iowa, Marilyn Kaufman and Alan Jensen both of Florida and Jim (Kathy) Jensen of Ringle; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren and siblings, Johnny, Rachel, Sharon, Helen, Lynn, Stanley and Lyle.

Kathryn was preceded in death by her husband, parents and siblings, Phyllis, Joyce, Louella and Myron.

The funeral service will be held at 12NOON on Thursday, February 1, 2018 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Birnamwood. Rev. Matthew Christians will officiate. Interment will be in Forest Cemetery, Birnamwood. Visitation will be on Thursday from 11AM until the time of service at the church.

Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Birnamwood is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared at schmidtschulta.com or at Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home on Facebook.

The family would especially like to thank the staff at Cedar Ridge Elder Care, Rennes, and Ministry Hospice for the special care given to Kathryn.