Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home & Cremation Center, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Carol Loften
Carol (Wolfgram) Loften, 77, passed away on March 2, 2018, at Pride TLC Assisted Living in Weston, Wisconsin after her fourth and final battle with cancer.
Carol was born in Wausau, WI on January 30, 1941, middle child of the late Hilbert and Mary Ann (Glischinski) Wolfgram. She was raised in Wausau and graduated from Newman Catholic High School in 1958. She lived in the Milwaukee area both early in her adult years, where she met her husband, and again from the early 1980’s until mid-1995, when she moved back to the Wausau area for good.
Carol enjoyed reading, knitting, sewing, and taking walks. Most of all she loved spending time working in her garden and often shared gardening tips and tricks with her son-in-law. She was dedicated to her church, Immanuel Baptist, and spent countless hours with her church family, donating her time and sharing her faith. Carol also enjoyed traveling when she could. She loved sharing memories of her family trip through the southwest with her daughter, son-in-law and grandson as well as her last trip to sit on the beach and listen to the ocean. Carol loved her cat, Bonkers, despite his peculiar temperament. However, one of her greatest joys in life was her grandson, Daniel. Their cribbage games were legendary and there was always a shriek of joy when she finally won a game. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Carol is survived by her daughter Ericka (Ken) Pardun; her grandson, Daniel (Meredith Buskirk) Loften; her brother, Jim (Carollyn Obremski) Wolfgram, her sister, Barb (Ed) Brooks and her many nieces and nephews, who she adored.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her ex-husband, Daniel Lee Loften, and numerous aunts and uncles.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 5, 2018 at Immanuel Baptist Church, 5100 Hummingbird Rd, Wausau. The Rev. Rob Love will officiate. Visitation will take place from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church. Burial will take place at Pine Grove cemetery at a later date.
Michael J. “Debo” Delaney
Michael J. “Debo” Delaney, 48, of Wausau, passed away on February 24, 2018 while in Cancun, Mexico.
Debo was born in El Cajone, California on January 17, 1970 to Michael “Nick” Nicholas and Gloria Dean Nelson. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corp in 1991, Debo was then stationed in Security Force Company in Rota, Spain. He also served in Fox Company, 2nd Battalion 7th Marines in 29 Palms, CA., and was honorably discharged in 1995. Michael was decorated with a Rifle Sharpshooter Badge, Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Mast Overseas Ribbon w-1 Star, National Defense Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Letter of Appreciation and the Pistol Marksman Badge for his service to our Country.
Debo was a man who wore many hats. He was a brilliant artist, both on canvas and on skin, as he was also a co-owner of Blackwater Tattoo where he logged thousands of hours of ink on many dedicated clients. Debo was a gun enthusiast, who loved to listen to heavy metal music or hang out at home and take in a B Horror film. But most important to him were his family and friends. Debo was a loving son. He was proud of his boys, Malik and Brandon; loved his nieces and nephews, Emily, Lauren, Anna, Aubrey and Maxwell. He was excited to meet his soon to be born niece, Baby Delaney.
He loved to share his love of the arts with his brother Caleb, though their taste in music did slightly differ. He loved his sisters, Summer and Jamie and wished he could have spent more time with them. To Debo his family and friends were his life.
He is survived by his sons; both of his parents, Michael Nicholas and Gloria Delaney; brother, Caleb (Stephanie) Delaney; sisters, Summer and Jamie; nieces Emily, Lauren and Anna Barber and Aubrey Delaney; nephew Maxwell Lambrecht; his partners at Blackwater Tattoo; and fiancé, Randi Schara.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Tara Olson.
Funeral services will be held at 7:00 pm on Sunday, March 11, 2018 at Brainard Funeral Home-Wausau Chapel, 522 Adam Street. The Rev. Wes Jedras will officiate. Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm until the time of services at the funeral home.
The family would like to thank Randi Schara for caring for Debo right up until the very end, and despite losing Michael, she followed through with his wishes, and spread his late wife Tara Olson’s ashes into the ocean. Your love and dedication to our dad, brother and son will never be forgotten.
Robert “Rob” J. Bursik
Robert Bursik, 54, passed away on Feb. 27, 2018 in Lake Elmo, Minnesota.
Rob was born in Wausau, WI and graduated from Marathon High School in 1982 where he loved playing on the basketball team.
He attended UW-Eau Claire and graduated in 1986. He lived in Pullman, WA and graduated from the University of Idaho –Moscow with a master’s degree in botany.
His love for plants and growing them started when he worked for his parent’s business, Bursik’s Greenhouse, in Rib Mountain where was referred to as “the boy” by customers who sought him out for his knowledge, passion, and charm. He resided in Amery, WI since 1995 where he raised his family and made many friends. His passion for greenhouse work continued as he started and ran his own business, Dragonfly Gardens. He loved teaching through his life, and was currently teaching at North Hennepin Community College and Oak Park Heights Correctional Facility.
Rob was charismatic, vivacious, and the life of the party. He loved fishing, with or without ice, camping, sharing, teaching, watching sports, and being with people. He was an incredible father always seeking and creating fun for his children and coaching their sports. He was the one playing football with the kids at the family parties. He lived a holistic life, loved nature, and had an incredible sense of humor.
Rob was preceded in death by his father Jake Bursik. He is survived by wife, Jessica, and children Jaci Bye (Matt Davis), Colin Bursik and Ian Bursik, and Cheryl Clemens, mother of Jaci and Colin, his mother, Thelma Bursik, Wausau, WI, brothers Dan (Sue) Bursik, Woodbury, MN, Paul (Deb) Bursik, De Pere, WI and sister, Maria Wierzba, Schofield, WI, nieces and nephews, Jeff (Carly) Bursik, Nick Bursik, Rachel Bursik, Michael Bursik, Jared Bursik, and Brandon Wierzba, as well as many other loving relatives and friends.
Visitation will be held at Williamson-White Funeral Home, 222 Harriman Avenue North, Amery, WI on Sunday, March 4, 2018 from 1 – 5 PM. There will also be a Celebration of Rob’s Life at Dragonfly Gardens this summer.
Michael P. McCall
Michael P. McCall, 60, of Tomahawk, WI, passed away Monday February 26, 2018 at Ascension Saint Clare’s Hospital, Weston, WI. Mike was born Oct. 18, 1957 to the late Philip and Norine (Kennedy) McCall in Kankakee, IL. Survivors include his sisters Joan (Jim) Bergren, Christine (Barry) Lamb and brother Robert, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great niece and nephew. He was also preceded in death by three brothers, Philip, Thomas and William.
Mike graduated with a B.A. in Marketing from Governor’s State University and went on to a successful career throughout the Midwest and Alabama as a manager and sales representative mainly in the automotive parts industry. Mike was an avid fisherman from a young age, enjoyed the outdoors, cooking, discussing the weather and spending time with his family and friends. He was also a life-long, enthusiastic fan of the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bears.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 12:00 Noon on Saturday March 10, 2018 at St. Mary of Vernon Catholic Church 236 U.S. Hwy. 45, Indian Creek, IL 60061. Rev. Joseph Curtis will preside. Visitation will be from 11:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church. Private burial will be held at a later date at All Saints Cemetery, Kankakee, IL.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association or the American Cancer Society.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home Wausau, WI is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Beatrice Kleinschmidt
Beatrice Kleinschmidt, 92, of Wausau passed away on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at Our House Senior Living.
She was born December 13, 1925 in Unity to the late Adolph and Viola (Seefeldt) Wein. On August 6, 1947, Beatrice married Guy Kleinschmidt at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Marshfield. Beatrice worked as a secretary at the Marathon County Courthouse and later for Wausau Insurance Co. She and Guy were members of St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Wausau where Beatrice served in the Mary Martha Circle. In their younger years, Beatrice and Guy enjoyed camping, traveling and trips to the Casino.
Beatrice is survived by her brother, Norman (Sharon) Wein of Wisconsin Rapids and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Guy, two brothers, Orville and Floyd and two sisters, Alberta Burt and Judy Erickson.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 17, 2018 at Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce St., Wausau. Reverend Jennifer Dahle will officiate. Entombment will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services. You may sign our family guest book at helke.com.
Charles S. Hodge 76 of Nekoosa passed away on February 28, 2018 at Atrium in Wisconsin Rapids. He was born to the late Charles and Mildred (Skirowski) Hodge on June 22, 1941 at Riverview Hospital, Wisconsin Rapids. He later married Sheryl Lemke (Hodge) on February 14th, 1964 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids, WI; together they celebrated 54 years together. He worked for Domtar Paper Mill, in Nekoosa for 37 years.
He is survived by his wife Sheryl, Nekoosa, one daughter Charmain Smith, Wausau, sister-in-law Mildred Brown, Wis. Rapids, five grandchildren; Scott, Matthew (Sami), Charles, David Jr., and Annabelle, along with many nieces and nephews.He is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Leonard and Donald.
Services will be held at JOHN J. BUETTGEN FUNERAL HOME 631 E. Grand Ave, Wis. Rapids on March 7, 2018. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 with Pastor Joseph Perricellia officiating.
