Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home & Cremation Center, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Donna Mae Andreske
Donna Mae Andreske, 85, of Kronenwetter, was called to her Heavenly home Sunday, March 18, 2018 at Oak Heights under the care of Ministry Hospice.
She was born October 24, 1932 in Wausau to the late Edwin and Leona (Brunner) Schulz. Donna Mae married Kenneth Andreske on July 23, 1955, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Wausau. They shared 49 years of marriage.
Donna Mae was known for her excellent baking skills. She loved to craft homemade wreaths with her children at Christmas time. She was also adored by everyone in the neighborhood where she and Kenneth raised their seven children.
Survivors include her daughter, Cheryl Becker of Wausau; sons, Mark Andreske of Burnsville, MN, Paul Andreske of Wausau, Scott (Wendi) Andreske of Wausau and Michael Andreske of Wausau; daughter-in-law, Lynn Andreske of Marshfield; siblings Emilie Schmidt of Tuscon, AZ, Leon (JoAnn) Schulz of Sheboygan and Ronald (Diane) Schulz of Wausau; as well as eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth; daughter, Diane Andreske; son, Steven Andreske; son-in-law, Nils “Folke” Becker, III; and three brothers, David, Gerald, and Glenn Schulz.
Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 23, 2018 at Brainard Funeral Home – Everest Chapel, 5712 Memorial Court, Weston. Rev. Mark Lewis will officiate. Burial will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery, Wausau. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the National Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin, 10909 W Greenfield Ave, Suite 201, West Allis, WI 53214.
Betty W. Tierney
Betty W. Tierney, 92, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 16, 2018 at Hospice House in Wausau, WI surrounded by her children.
Betty was born on July 23, 1925 in the town of Hamburg. She was the 18th of 20 children of Robert and Otillie (Zastrow) Gruling. On September 11, 1947, she met Robert Tierney and immediately decided he was her soul mate and the man she would marry. On April 3, 1948, Betty married Bob at the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus, in Wausau, WI.
During World War II, Betty served our country working in a defense plant and was hospitalized for two weeks to recuperate from burns she sustained to her foot from a molten metal spill. In addition to her work in a defense plant, as a fishing fly tier, and with her cousin, Caroline at the Bridal and Formal salon in Wausau, WI, her memories of the time she and Bob owned Tierney’s Rib Mountain Restaurant always bought a smile to her face and laughs from the stories she told.
Betty remained civically minded throughout her life, by always making time to vote and, in later years, serving her community as a poll worker. Betty enjoyed volunteering for many organizations throughout her life, including the Neighbors Place and Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
Betty took great pride in her Pommeranian ancestry and was a charter member of the Pommerscher Verein – Central Wisconsin. She enjoyed playing cards, knitting, sewing and needlepoint. Her home was open to all and throughout the years Betty and Bob had countless family, friends and exchange students stay with them. Betty held a special place in her heart for an exchange student from Brazil, Bia Gomide Simao`, with whom she remained in contact and visited several times over the years. Above all, she loved her family and cherished her time spent with them.
Betty was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church for over 60 years where she was very active in the Ladies Guild, as well as singing in the choir.
Betty is survived by and the loving mother of seven children, James (Vicki) Tierney, Wausau, WI, Gale Tierney, Wausau, WI, Gary (Janet) Tierney, Roseville, MN, Debbie (Mike) Diewald, Madison, WI, Michael (Susan) Tierney, McFarland, WI, Thomas (Kristine) Tierney, Wausau, WI and Tammy (Knox) Johnson, Kaukauna, WI; 17 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren; one brother, Bob (Eppie) Gruling, Merrill, WI; brother-in-law, Jerry (Jeannie) Tierney, Glen Ellen, CA,, sisters-in-law, Pat Kotke, Las Vegas, NV, Judy Tierney, Old Orchard Beach, ME and Jean Tierney, Appleton, WI; brother-in-law, Pat Duffy, Burke, VA, and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Bob. In addition to her parents, Robert and Otillie, she was preceded in death by siblings, Irma Kriewald, Hattie Riemer, Elisa Sodke, Olga Kriehn, Viola Mohrland, Mary Ann Westphal, and Ted, Walter, Victor and Gerhart Gruling, as well as eight infant brothers and sisters.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 24, 2018 at St. Mark Lutheran Church, Wausau. Rev. Bruce Lamont will officiate. Entombment will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Visitation will be Friday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Avenue, Wausau and again on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services at St. Mark Lutheran Church, Wausau.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com
Erica Ann Springer
Erica A. Springer, 49, died Tuesday, March 19, 2018 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
She was born July 22, 1968 in Madison, daughter of Theodore and June (Sherry) Oasen. On August 8, 2007 she married Jon Springer in Wausau.
Erica worked as a nurse at Colonial Center in Colby. She enjoyed sewing, her pugs and spending time with her grandchildren.
Survivors include her husband, Jon Springer; children, Samantha (Matthew) Kopecky, Theodore Smith, Rose Smith, Phillip Smith and Hayley Lord; grandchildren, Piper and Preslie Kopecky, Avery and Aubrey Smith; parents, Theodore and June Oasen; siblings, Stephen (Ann) Oasen, Thomas (Jennifer) Oasen, Karen Oasen and Andrew Oasen, many nieces and nephews.
Memorial visitation will be Saturday, March 24, 2018 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Avenue, Wausau.
Keith A. Rainville
Keith A. Rainville, 59, Wausau, died Monday, March 19, 2018 at Ascension Saint Clare’s Hospital, Weston. He was a triplet, born July 16, 1958 in Wausau, son of the late Lloyd and Elizabeth (Frank) Rainville.
Keith was currently employed at Applied Laser Technologies LLC in Weston, and the support and compassion the company and co-workers have given to Keith and his family during his illness has been greatly appreciated.
Among his favorite pastimes, he enjoyed fishing, remodeling houses, feeding the birds and squirrels and was an avid Green Bay Packers fan.
Survivors include, Sue Rainville and their two beloved daughters, Melissa and Heather Rainville, Wausau; six siblings, Lynn (Wally) Flees, Hatley, Ronald Rainville, Wausau, LaRae (Dave) Jelmeland, Weston, Kathy Grosskreutz, Wausau, and his triplet sisters, Kay Rainville, Wausau and Karen (Dan Grosskreutz) Rainville, Wausau; one sister-in-law, Mary Lou Rainville, Wausau; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Gary; an infant brother, Lloyd; and one nephew, Scott Rainville.
A memorial visitation will be held on Friday, March 23, 2018 from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau. Private burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Wausau.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com
Chester J. Dorshak
Chester J. Dorshak, 78, Rothschild, died Monday, March 19, 2018 at his home.
He was born September 2, 1939 in Wausau to the late John R. and Mary (Szarkowitz) Dorshak.
Chester was devout son to his parents, especially his mother Mary. For a short time, he worked at Weyerhauser Corporation in Rothschild as a paper machine operator. Among his favorite past times he enjoyed deer hunting and spending time with his family and friends.
Chester proudly served in the United States Navy.
Survivors include his children, Tracy Haroldson, Wausau; John C. Dorshak, Rothschild; Melissa (Robin) Trantow, Wausau; 1 Granddaughter, Nicole Paprocki, Palatine, IL; 2 Great-Grandchildren, Frankie and Ana Paprocki, Siblings, Jerome (Alice) Dorshak, Stevens Point, Patricia McGuire, Rothschild, Marcie (Jim) Light, Wausau, Pamela (Lee) Bretl, Chicago, IL; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his special friend, Mary.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11:30 a.m. Thursday, March 22, 2018 at St. Mark Catholic Church, Rothschild. The Rev. Allan Slowiak will preside. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Kronenwetter. Visitation will be Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services all at the church.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com
Harold W. Denissen, 64 of Schofield passed away at home due to long term heart disease. He was born on May 3, 1953 to Harold and Patricia (Thiel) Denissen.
He is survived by his loving wife Debra (Hoff) Denissen, two sons; Christopher (Cherie) Denissen, Scott Denissen, three sisters; Barb (David) Allen, Judy (Willie) Reed, Kathy (Vic) Maulden, one brother Bruce (Connie) Denissen and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Harold was employed at Drott Manufacturing, North Central Health Care, Marathon County Jail and Marathon County Court House.
Harold loved spending time at his house in Michigan hunting and fishing.
A private family burial will be held at a later date.
Mid Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting family at this time. On line condolences can be made at www.HonorOne.com
Thomas Bruce Krause
Thomas Bruce Krause, age 68, passed away in Wausau unexpectedly on March 14, 2018. Known as Tom to family and friends, he was born in Wausau on May 22, 1949 to Albert and Lillie May (Lashua) Krause. He is survived by his daughter, Angela Holmes and her husband John; son, Scott Krause (Lt Col, USAF, Retired); daughter, Jennifer Guzman and her husband Daniel; 13 grandchildren; nephew, Marc Foley; cousin, Ellen Godfrey; and aunt, Lillian Krause.
He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Cheryl Kort.
Upon graduation from Wausau High School in 1967, Tom joined the U.S. Army and served more than twenty years before retiring at the rank of Command Sergeant Major. His time in the military allowed him to live in a number of places, both foreign and stateside, including Germany, Korea, and Italy.
According to his wishes, Tom will be laid to rest with military honors at Fort Bliss National Cemetery in El Paso, Texas.
Mid Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting the family at this time. www.honorone.com
Audrey Hoekstra
Audrey Maureen Hoekstra, 90, of Wittenberg, died on Monday, March 19, 2018 at Homme Home of Wittenberg.
She was born on June 10, 1927 in Iron Mountain, MI, the daughter of the late Arthur and Allie (Seifert) Neuhoff. On August 8, 1947, Audrey was united in marriage to Theodore Charles Hoekstra at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Wittenberg. He preceded her in death on February 22, 2007.
Audrey was a Sunday School teacher at St. Paul’s for many years. She babysat and was a Bunco club member for many years. A devoted animal lover, Audrey helped save many over the years and this was one of her greatest joys.
Survivors include two daughters, Sharon (DuWayne) Klessig and Karen (Dennis) Voelz; three grandchildren, Heather, Todd and Chad; five great-grandchildren, Simone, Gabriel, Isaac, Keliah and Bethany; sister, Phyllis Birchfield; her dogs, Emma and Gracie and her cats, Annie, Teddy and Mitzsy.
Audrey was preceded in death by her husband, parents; aunts; uncles; cousins; three brothers-in-law and two sisters-in-law.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to the St. Paul Lutheran Building fund would be appreciated.
Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Wittenberg is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared at Schmidtschulta.com and at Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home on Facebook.
