Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home & Cremation Center, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Diane D. Olson
Diane D. Olson, age 68 of River Falls, WI, formally E. Grand Forks, surrounded by family passed away Sunday, March 25th in Wausau, WI.
Diane D. Olson, daughter of Charles and Martha Straus, was born on April 4th, 1949 in E. Grand Forks. She grew up on the family farm and graduated from E. Grand Forks High School in 1967.
She enjoyed helping others, baking, cooking, spending time with friends, family and most of all, spending time with her grandchildren that she adored and loved so much!
She is survived by son, Darin (Dawn) of Rosemount, MN, daughter Tonya (James) Karow of Wausau, WI; grandchildren, Zachariah and Abigail Thureen, Eli and Kinley Karow; brothers, Bob, Dick, Kenny, Wally, and Dennis Straus; sisters, Betty Kosmatka, Joanne Carlson and Geri Hodge; Rodney Olson’s children, Keith (Michelle), Becky, Kevin (Andrea), Rhonda and their families.
Preceded in by death by husbands Dennis Thureen and Rodney Olson.
Funeral service to be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 6th at Christus Victor Lutheran Church (7510 Palomino Dr, Apple Valley, MN) with visitation 1 hour prior to service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Diane’s name to the ADA’s Tour de Cure – TEAM DADDEO by going to the ADA’s Tour de Cure – TEAM DADDEO by clicking this link..
Brainard Funeral Home – Everest Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be shared at www.brainardfuneral.com
George J. Vondrasek
George J. Vondrasek, 92, of Wausau, passed away on Saturday, March 24, 2018, at Aspirus Hospice House. He was born in the town of Marathon on March 5, 1926, to Joseph and Sophia (Sykora) Vondrasek.
George married the love of his life, Mary (Kurzejka) on December 20, 1947. George served his country in the Army during the Korean War. He worked as an electrician at Marmet Corporation, and then he and Mary grew ginseng. They wintered in warmer climates and enjoyed traveling in their motorhome. They visited Canada, most of the United States and Mexico. They were some of the first tourists to see China in the early 1970s and enjoyed many European vacations.
George was preceded in death by his wife Mary, his brothers William, Rudolph (Alida) and Emil (Rosalie); his sisters, Marie (Adam) Szemborski and Lydia (Oscar) Seehafer; and his sister-in-law, June Vondrasek. George is survived by his brother Edward. He was as much a part of Mary’s family as his own, and was preceded in death by “Ginseng” Joe Kurzejka, Theresa Kurzejka, Frances (Frank) Volhard, Edward (Genevieve) Kurzejka, Ann (George) Vetter, and Delphine (Henry) Heeren.
George was well loved by his many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. A private memorial service with Military Funeral Honors was held earlier this week.
His family wishes to thank the caregivers at Mountain Terrace Senior Living and his compassionate Aspirus Hospice team. Memorial gifts in celebration of George’s life may be directed to the Aspirus Hospice House, c/o the Aspirus Health Foundation, 425 Pine Ridge Boulevard, Wausau, WI 54401
Brainard Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.brainardfuneral.com
Susan E. Lepak
Susan Lepak, 75, passed away at home on March 27, 2018, after a long battle with cancer.
She was born October 24, 1942, to Bruno Vetter and Grace Cannady Vetter, and grew up in Marathon, Wisconsin. Following her graduation from Marathon High School, Sue married Alois Lepak, her husband of nearly fifty-six years. Sue and Al lived in California and Michigan for a number of years, before returning to Wisconsin.
Sue was a devoted mother to her two children, as well as the den mother for her son’s Cub Scout pack. Sue was an active member of St. Anne’s Church for many years, and managed the church building expansion construction project that took place in the mid-1990s. Sue enjoyed volunteer work, DIY projects, and following the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Cubs.
She is survived by her husband, Alois; her children, Scott (Kathy) Lepak and Laura Lepak; her brothers, Jim (AnnaMae) Vetter, and Tom (Ann) Vetter; her sisters, Sara (Jon) Schroeder, and Lynne (Norm) Hornung; her grandchildren, Jordan Riley and Kate Bauer; her great-grandchildren, William and Elizabeth Riley and Remy Bauer; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings Everett, Donald, Judith, Ruth, and Patricia.
Visitation will be held April 2, 2018, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Avenue, Wausau, with a memorial service immediately following visitation. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com
Sylvester H. Volhard
Sylvester H. Volhard, 91, died Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
He was born November 6, 1926 in Marathon, son of the late Edwin and Anna (Gassner) Volhard. On August 31, 1949 he married Ruth Seliger at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon.
Survivors include his wife, Ruth Volhard; son, David Volhard; mother of his grandchildren, Julie Volhard; grandchildren, Joshua, Nicholas and Sarah Volhard; sisters, MaryAnn Seliger and Angeline (Ralph) Hall.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Delores Blume, brother, Edwin Volhard Jr. and an infant sister.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated 11:30 a.m. Monday, April 2, 2018 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon. Rev. Msgr. Joseph Diermeier will preside. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Marathon. Visitation will be Monday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of services all at St. Mary Catholic Church.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com
Alice Imhoff
Alice Imhoff, 93, of Wausau passed away on Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at home with her daughter, Donna, and her son-in-law, Jeff, by her side.
She was born at home in the town of Wausau on December 25, 1924 to the late Edward and Theresa (Ostrowski) Glenetski. She made a living working at Marathon Rubber. Alice married William (Bill) Imhoff on September 25, 1948 at Holy Name Church, Wausau. They shared 29 years together until his time of passing August 15, 1977. They enjoyed fishing, camping, and spending time with their family. They also loved to polka at weddings and their favorite song was “Let me call you sweetheart.”
Alice was a kind and loving woman with a witty sense of humor. She loved to cook, eat dessert, go for walks, and spend time with friends and family. She lived with rheumatoid and osteoarthritis for over 40 years, whenever her family asked how she was doing, she would say, “I am doing the best that I can.”
Survivors include her two children, Donna (Jeff) Blackburn of Wausau and Roger (Lori) Imhoff of Wausau. Grandchildren include; Michelle (Chad) Imhoff, Joshua (Denise) Blackburn, Kelly (Brian) Zwieg, Megan (Fiancé Chris) Blackburn, Luke (Regina) Imhoff, Alex (Andrea) Imhoff. Great grandchildren include: Kyle, Melanie, Ceceilia, Ava, Eli, Ian, and another arriving in April and one great great grandchild Madalynn. Two sisters: Irene Gehrke and Josie (Larry) Blazic. One sister-in-law: Alvina Jacobi. Two brothers: James (Judy) Glenetski and Eugene Glenetski.
Alice was preceded in death by her husband, William, her four brothers, Herman, Clarence, George, and Leonard, and two sisters, Loraine and Christine.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Monday April 2, 2018 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Weston. Rev. Greg Bohren will preside. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Kronenwetter. Visitation will be on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Arthritis Foundation, in care of the family.
The family would like to thank Dr. Bocoun and Dr. Roush from Marshfield Clinic in Wausau for all their support over the years. They would also like to thank Everest Metro Police, EMT’s and Father Greg Bohren.
Herman Hintz III
Herman Alden Hintz III, 77, of Wausau, Wisconsin, passed away at Aspirus Wausau Hospital on March 27, 2018. Herman was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin to the late Herman and Loretta (Krueger) Hintz II and married Sandra Lach on October 19th, 1963.
Herman is survived by his wife Sandra of 54 years; children Tracy (Seth) Thun, Kelly (Michael) Tollar, Scott (Jennifer) Hintz; sister Mary Cleveland; grandchildren Megan, Luke (Kristin), and Aubrey Thun, Ashley (Matt) Vollmer, Ezra and Jessalyn Tollar, Amelia, Maggie and Nora Hintz; great-granddaughter, Melody Vollmer, and loving brothers-and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and extended family. Herman was a loving husband, father, brother, and friend to all.
Herman worked 45 years at Wausau Metals Corporation and was a member of the National Guard. He was a lifetime member of Trinity Lutheran Church. He greatly enjoyed his hobby selling fire trucks and equipment and spending time with family at the cabin.
The funeral service for Herman will be at 11:00 AM on Monday, April 2, 2018 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Stewart Avenue, Wausau. Pastor Zach Holdorf and Lay Minister Phil Larson will officiate. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM until the time of service at the church on Monday. Committal will be at Restlawn Memorial Park. Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements; you may sign our family guestbook at helke.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church (501 Stewart Avenue, Wausau, Wisconsin 54401).
A special thank you to Dr. Tom Strick for his extra care and compassion as well as the staff at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
Mildred Luedtke
Mildred Caroline Luedtke, 96, of Wausau, passed away on Tuesday, March 27, 2018, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. She was born in the town of Cassel and lived in Wausau for most of her life. Mildred married George M. Luedtke on April 21, 1944 in Grenada, Mississippi.
Survivors include her children, Jackie (Chet) of Cherry Valley, IL, Jerry (Pam) of Middleton, Kris (Mike) of Wausau, Jane of Eau Claire, Steve (Lori) of Wausau, and Jenny of Wausau; grandchildren, Tim (Loretta), Holly, Kori, Tessa (Dustin), Noah (Mandee), Alex (Katie), Jessica (Tony), Rachel (Jon), Steve Jr., Elizabeth (Tim), Patrick, Laura, Jake (Melissa), and Lucas; great-grandchildren, Troy, Hailey, Alyssa, Mirabella, Miles, Anders, Nora, Emily, Benjamin, Alivia, Violet, Finnoulay, Avery, Wyatt, Marcus, Riley, and Hailey; and brother, Joseph (Mona) of California.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, George; parents, Joseph and Crescentia; eight sisters; five brothers; and son-in-law, Jay Trantow.
A funeral service will be at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 31, 2018, at Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce St., Wausau. Visitation begins at 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Burial will take place in Restlawn Memorial Park, town of Texas.
You may sign the family guestbook at www.helke.com.
Noah Joseph Salyers, 16, of Wausau passed away after battling a brain tumor on March 25, 2018. He was born to Erick and Kimberly (Waraksa) Sayler on March 28, 2001.
He is survived by his parents, one sister Tiffany Raymer, grandparents Aaron & Shelby Waraksa and grandma Barbara Salyers.
A celebration of Noah’s life will be held on Saturday, April 7, 2018 with a visitation at 9:00 to Noon and then a service to follow at Covenant Community Presbyterian Church.
Mid Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting family at this time. On line condolences can be left at www.HonorOne.com.
Jerome B. Kufalk 79 passed away on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at his home after a short battle with brain cancer. He was born to the late Bernard and Marian (Nelson) Kufalk on December 15, 1938. Jerry graduated from Wausau High School in 1957. He married the love of his life Lois Barttelt on May 14, 1960, together they raised five children. He was a car salesman for most of his working life. Many of them were with Stark GM. After retirement, Jerry enjoyed working at the Chain O’Lakes Campground in Eagle River as the maintenance keeper. He loved to be outdoors, hunting, fishing, campfires and watching the deer. During the cold months Jerry and his wife Lois enjoyed their winter months traveling to the warm areas in their fifth wheel camper.
He is survived by his wife Lois, children, Linda (Pat) Nowak, Wausau, Lori (Gregg)Hepp, Wisconsin Rapids, Brian (Margaret) Kufalk, Kronenwetter, Bradley (Kimberli)Kufalk, Fallon, NV, and Jeffery (Jennifer) Kufalk, Altanta, GA, along with thirteen grandchildren and eleven great – grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents Ben and Marian, his in-laws Myron (Windy) and Rosemary Barttelt and sister-in-law Kathryn McCoy.Lois and family would like to thank the Aspirus Hospice Care, Dr. Kevin O’Connell, Nurse Jean (Beaner), Dr. Peterson, Dr. Waller, Dr. Barton and special friend Sue Blaine for all their loving care during his battle with cancer.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Matthew Catholic Church 229 S 28th Ave., Wausau with Rev. Robert C. Thorn officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00a.m. until time of Mass at 11:00.
In lieu of flowers a donation will be made by the family to Aspirus Hospice Services.
John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting the family at this time. Online condolences can be made at www.HonorOne.com
