Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home & Cremation Center, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Joseph J. Przybylski
Joseph Patrick Przybylski, 65 of Wausau, passed away with his loving family by his side on Sunday, April 1, 2018 under Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services at his home.
Joseph was born on March 19, 1953 to Edward and Marian Przybylski. He graduated from Wausau West High School in 1971, and married the love of his life, Sherry Trempe, on April 4, 1981. Together they shared 37 years of happiness and love.
Joe truly enjoyed fishing with his brothers and spending time with family at their cottage in Hazelhurst. He was an avid fan of Nascar racing and the Green Bay Packers, as well as taking care of his four golden retriever dogs. His love for morning newspapers was like a ritual, always making sure to have them in his possession whether at home or on a trip. Most of all, he treasured his wife, Sherry. His thoughtfulness was evident in the many love notes he left around the house, especially in the lunches he made for her every day. They were avid travelers and shared memories that would last a lifetime.
Joe is survived by his wife, Sherry Przybylski, of Wausau; mother, Marian Przybylski of Wausau; sister Celeste Osowski of Florida; five brothers, Mike (Mary) of Mosinee, Paul Przybylski of Wausau, Ken (Rose) of Wausau, Mark (Stephanie) of Wausau, and James (Angela) of Rothschild; as well as many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his father, Edward.
A Memorial Service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at Brainard Funeral Home – Wausau Chapel, 522 Adams Street, Wausau, 54403. Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. until the time of service at the Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be shared at www.brainardfuneral.com
Bob Reid
Bob Reid (Robert U. Reid), 86, Wausau, passed away Friday, March 30, 2018.
Bob loved to tell a good story, sharing (and hearing) jokes, the Chicago Cubs, and tapping his toes to Big Band and polka music. He was a “doer,” and an outstanding role model with an exceptional work ethic.
He was born June 12, 1931 in Minneapolis, Minn. to the late Robert S. and Meryl Reid. Bob grew up in the Edina-Morningside neighborhood, graduating from St. Louis Park High School in1949 and the University of Minnesota, class of 1953, earning a degree in Radio Speech. He was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity.
He married Eleanor “Elie” Weld on Feb. 2, 1962 in Minneapolis. She claimed sharing the date with Groundhog’s Day would ensure Bob couldn’t forget their anniversary. Together they raised two children, Fritz and Julie.
Bob’s professional career was centered on sports and entertainment management, enjoying a variety of notable roles.
While attending the U of M, he worked for the Athletic Department’s Intramural and Sports Information offices. After graduation, he was part of the Minnesota Centennial Commission’s publicity team. He became the publicity director for the Minneapolis Lakers basketball team from 1955-58, then joined Max Winter Attractions as an associate until 1963, where he provided public relations support for the Harlem Globetrotters, the Hawaiian State Fair and the Midwest Auto Show.
He became a partner with Padilla, Sarjeant, Sullivan and Speer Public Relations for four years, representing clients like the Grain Belt brewery and the Ice Follies. His connections led him to join the fledgling Minnesota North Stars, where he served as the team’s first administrative director from 1967-1972 and then became the Met Center building manager until 1985, expanding his duties to oversee the building that hosted not only the hockey team, but numerous rock concerts, the Barnham & Bailey Circus and the Ice Follies. He loved to talk about his experiences hosting the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and other major bands. During this time, he was involved with the International Association of Auditorium Managers’ professional organization (now the IAVM), serving on its board of directors and on various committees. His last career move found Bob working for the Vee Corporation organizing the Sesame Street Live stage shows as its director of booking from 1985-1997.
Bob’s interest in sports found him also serving for 42 years as the lead public address announcer for the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) state hockey, baseball, softball, football and wrestling tournaments; for the MSHSL as a baseball umpire; for the Western Collegiate Hockey Association as publicity director and lead statistician, and also as a statistician for the Minnesota Vikings. He was also part of a group — and one of the first coaches — that started the Edina Little League organization in the 1950s.
Bob and Elie lived in Edina until 2003, when they moved to Wausau to be closer to their daughter Julie and her family.
Bob’s volunteer work was extremely important and fulfilling to him. While living in Minnesota, he was part of the Edina Recycling Commission, VEAP, Edina-Morningside Church, Loaves and Fishes, Edina High School PTA, Walk for Mankind, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Friends of Edina Public Library and St. Alban’s Episcopal Church. After moving to Wausau, he was part of The Grand Theater board of directors, Friends of the Marathon County Public Library, St. John’s Episcopal Church and Mobile Meals.
As a former public relations man, he took great pleasure in collecting newspaper clippings for friends and family and keeping detailed travel diaries of the adventures he and Elie had traveling overseas to visit 46 countries and all seven continents.
Bob is survived by his son, Frederic “Fritz” Reid, partner Kim Forrest and son Forrest Hansen, Shingle Springs, Calif., daughter Julie Bliss, husband Jim, and children Reid Baker and Charlotte Bliss; siblings, older brother John M. “Jack” Reid, Seattle, Wash. and “baby” sister, Betty (Reid) Kuechle, Chanhassen, Minn, and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Elie, in 2009.
Fritz and Julie would like to thank the warm and supportive staff at Colonial Manor for taking such loving care of Bob over the past year.
A memorial will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 7 at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 330 McClellan Street, Wausau, with The Rev. Meredyth Albright officiating. Visitation with Fritz and Julie will be at 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church, with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum or St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church.
Patricia Johnson
Patricia Eileen Johnson, 69, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 22, 2018, at Brookdale in Eagan, MN. She was born on June 22, 1948 in Wausau to Harry and the late Regina (Lake) Syring. Patricia graduated from Wausau Senior High School in 1966. She was the loving wife of Gregory Johnson and they were married on November 30, 1968, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Pat was a wonderful wife and homemaker who loved to shop, travel with Greg, visit family, and spoil the grandchildren.
Survivors include her husband, Gregory; son, Andrew (Carolina) Johnson of Eau Claire; daughters, Tracey (Kevin) Hughes of Bellevue, WA, Julie (Brett) Coffin of Scarborough, ME, and Katie Johnson of Lakeville, MN; sister, Sandra (Thomas) Allen of Wausau; and grandchildren, Tristram Coffin, Connor Coffin, Luna Johnson, Hailey Johnson, Kaitlyn Hughes, Kennedy Hughes, and Ashley Hughes.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 4, 2018, at St. Michael Parish, 611 Stark Street, Wausau, with Father James Schaefer officiating. Visitation begins at 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Burial will follow in Restlawn Memorial Park, town of Texas.
You may sign the family guestbook at www.helke.com.
In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association. www.alz.org
The family would like to express special thanks to the nurses and staff from hospice and Brookdale Eagan for the care Pat received.
Elaine Degner
Elaine Edna Degner, 86, passed away March 28, 2018 at Cedar Ridge Elder Services. She was born August 18, 1931 to Elmer and Lorraine (Seidler) Degner.
Elaine worked for most of her adult life at Wausau Motor Parts, “The Piston Ring” up until her retirement in 1993 which was one of the best days of her life. She never married but her life was fulfilled by the nieces and nephews who took the place of her own children. She enjoyed watching them grow up and then many having children of their own. She loved to sew and completed many special embroidery projects that her family will remember her by. She loved to travel and had the opportunity to visit many special places. Her real love was family. She took special pride in celebrating every family event including birthdays, baptisms, graduations, weddings and reunions.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Lorraine Degner; brothers, Laverne, Robert, Rodger and Elmer Junior. Survivors include sisters, Mary Ann Raasch and Doris Jean Strehlow both of Wausau and a brother, Jim (Dianne) Degner of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas; sisters-in-law, Carole Degner, Wausau and Nancy Schroyer, Jacksonville, FL. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and great-great-nieces and nephews as well as many friends.
Family, friends and others whose lives Elaine touched are invited to attend a celebration of her life at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Wausau. Rev. Philip Schneider will officiate. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Monday, April 2 at Helke Funeral Home; resuming at 10:00 AM on Tuesday at the church until the time of service. Burial will be at Restlawn Memorial Park, Town of Texas. Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements; you may sign our family guest book at helke.com.
The family would like to extend our gratitude to the staff at Forrest Park Village, The Gardens, Cedar Ridge Elder Services and Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services for their kind and loving care for Elaine in the last few years of her life.
Harry John Krumrie Sr., 90 of Mosinee, passed at home, peacefully in his sleep, on March 29, 2018.
Born on June 20, 1927, he lived most of his life in Menomonie and Wittenberg, WI. On August 27, 1947 he wed Nellie Jane Lehman who preceded him in death in 2016. Together they raised five children. In his early years Harry worked as a carpenter with his father in-law Paul Lehman, and as Custodian at Univ. WI-Stout. He was gifted in services to others as Boy Scout leader, Sunday School Superintendent/Teacher and Little League Baseball Coach, Menomonie WI. He was Village Pres./Police Officer/Santa Claus for Wittenberg as well as Shawano County, and Deputy and Game Warden. He was a counselor at Homme Home for Boys, Wittenberg and Sun Burst Youth Homes, Neillsville. With his wife Nellie, foster parented 38 children through Children’s Serv. Soc., Marathon City. In his retirement years he was a youth golf instructor at Indianhead golf course. Harry was a proud veteran of WWII, having served in the Navy overseas. He was a member of the first group of Veterans to be part of the “Never Forgotten Honor Flight” from Wausau Wisconsin in 2010. He continued to raise funds through golf events to send veterans on the same journey, he described as one of the most memorable events of his life.
He is survived by his son Harry J. Krumrie Jr. Lake Wales, Fl. Grandson Paul (Kristina) Krumrie, great grandchildren Jacob and Noah. Daughter Kathy (Krumrie) Hoffman Mesa, AZ and grandchildren Jamee Rayome, Jennifer (Delano) Gentiles, Mary Mathis and great grandchildren Chrystal Rayome, Andrew Kummerow, Emily Hartig, Samantha Mathis, Victoria and Elizabeth Hurkmans. Daughter Linda Krumrie (Gary/Chops) Lambrecht of Mosinee. Grandchildren Amy (Howie) Ruddell, Krista (Andrew) Hamilton, Kirk (Sarah) Lambrecht. Great grandchildren Maggie, William, Luke, John, Matthew, and Peter Ruddell, Claudia Nell and Alec James Hamilton. Newest great grandchild Alden Lambrecht. Daughter Dr. Shirley Krumrie (Dr. Steven) Kleiman Ada, MI. Grandchildren Cole (Mary) Kleiman, Aubree (Dave) Ellis, Ailee (Andrew) VanHagen, and Crew Kleiman. Great Grandchildren Andrew and Ellee Kleiman, Aila, Louisa, Grant and Rosie Ellis.Daughter-in-law April Krumrie (son Jim who preceded his father in 2011) and granddaughter Abrielle Krumrie, Molly Abby (Hugh) Johnson (Jimmy Krumrie), great-grandchildren Hank and Healey Johnson. Special extended family members; niece Bonnie Erickson, great nephews Denny Lundblaad and daughter Dani, Gary Riddle, Kevin Bird, Michael Rhoades, special son in heart Josh Lewis and all members of Krumrie/Bird family.
Harry was the last member of the original Krumrie family, which will be celebrating his life at the 71st Krumrie Family Reunion, Saturday July 28, in Menomonie WI.
Memorial contributions in memory of Harry, President Emeritus, can be directed to the “Krumrie Family Reunion Fund” C/O Linda Lambrecht 800 Stoneridge Dr. Mosinee, WI 54455 or to the Never Forgotten Honor Flight, 4404 Rib Mountain Drive #234, Wausau, WI 54401.
Mid Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting the family at this time. Online condolences can be made at www.HonorOne.com
Dorothy I. Wendt 95, Hatley passed away peacefully on March 29, 2018. She was born to the late Ed and Mata (Wruck) Rabe on November 22, 1922. She married the love of her life Robert Wendt on November 3, 1945 together they celebrated 37 years together; he preceded her in death on March 24, 1982. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Ringle. She worked for Wells Manufacturing until she retired.
She is survived by her son David Wendt, Hatley, grandchildren; Mary (Robert) Levenhagen, Cheyenne, WY, Dawn (Tony) Giltz, Ringle, Shaun (Julie) Wendt, Sadieville, KY., Robert (Wendy) Wendt, Clarksville, TN., Sara (Ben) Fritch, Van Dyne. Great grandchildren, Erin (Jason) White, Jason (Lindsey) Levenhagen, Alex Giltz, Colt, Eli, Eva Wendt, Brittney, Madelyn, Heather Wendt, Chasyn, Dalton, Lane, Mais,y Sawyer, Fritch. Sister Bernice (Donald) Hallander, Ripon, sister-in-law Barbara Rabe, Oshkosh and nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband Robert, good friend Roger Blonigen, Sister Lucille (Harold) Bean, brothers, Monroe (Doris) Rabe and Gordon Rabe, Eugene (Barbara) Rabe. Great granddaughter Grace Wendt.
Burial and service will take place on Thursday, April 5th, 2018 at Shrine of Rest Mausoleum, Co Rd K Fond Du Lac, WI 54937 at 10:00 a.m.
John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting the family at this time. Online condolences can be made at www.HonorOne.com
Janet Ruth Seidler Minter
Janet Ruth Seidler Minter was called to her heavenly home on March 28, 2018.
She was born September 26, 1938, to Walter and Ruth Seidler (Wentland) of Wausau, who preceded her in death. Her brothers Donald (Kay) Hastings MN and Eugene (Grace) Rhinelander, WI preceded her in death. Janet is survived by her son Daniel (Julie) of Manitowoc, WI and two granddaughters, Christine of DePere and Catherine of Manitowoc.
Janet graduated from Wausau High School in 1956. After graduation she traveled to Florida where she met her future husband Leon. They later divorced. Returning to Wausau, she graduated from UW Stevens Point in 1971 and taught at St. Mary’s in Wausau and later at St. Therese School in Schofield. She also taught as a special education teacher. In 1981, she was elected as a supervisor in the Town of Kronenwetter. After teaching, Janet worked as a waitress and cook for the Elk’s Club in Wausau until her retirement in 2000.
Janet was a long time participant in 4-H activities in Marathon County both as a club leader and also as Junior Fair Superintendent for Flowers and Houseplants during the Wisconsin Valley Fair. At home, she enjoyed cooking, genealogy, gardening, feeding the birds, crossword puzzles and listening to the Packers, Brewers and Bucks on the radio.
The family would like to thank the many friends, neighbors and church volunteers who helped make the last few years enjoyable for Janet.
Funeral arrangements are through Peterson Kramer Funeral Home. A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, April 6th at 11 AM at St. Mark Catholic Church in Rothschild. The Reverend Allan Slowiak will officiate. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 AM until the time of service on April 6th. Burial will take place at Restlawn Memorial Park.
Sandra J. Leith
Sandra Jean Leith, 74, passed away on March 31, 2018 at Mount View Care Center after a five-year battle with pancreatic cancer.
Sandra enjoyed doing crafts, being in committees and loved socializing with her friends. Her favorite thing to do was have Sunday dinner with her family and celebrate the Fourth of July.
She is survived by two daughters, Elizabeth Leith and Kathrine Leith; two granddaughters, Brittany (Kris) Eidnes and Ashlyn Smith; sister MaryLou McCarten; sister-in-law, Barb Kitsembel; brother-in-law, James Leith; close family friends, Tim Marvin and Deb Maccagnano and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Sandra is preceded in death by her parents Edna and Robert Dalbec, the love of her life, Lyle Leith, a daughter, Tamela Leith and granddaughter, Amber Leith Matonich.
Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 6, 2018 at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau. Rev. Jeffrey Martinson will officiate. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Wausau. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. until the time of services all at the Sixth Street funeral home.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com
Kimberly Sue Kuklinski
Kimberly Sue Kuklinski, 33, of Hatley, passed away on Thursday, March 29, 2018 at home in the care and loving arms of her Aunt Rose & Uncle Mike Buchkowski. She was born June 4, 1984, in Wausau, daughter of Edward “Eddie” and Lori (Rucinski) Kuklinski.
Kimberly was a proud D.C. Everest graduate, class of 2003. There she found her favorite class, marketing with Mrs. Peterson, and became her DECA chapter’s president. This led her to pursue a degree in Marketing from Upper Iowa University. During high school she worked at her dream job, crafting sundaes, at Culver’s. She then went on to spend 10 years working at Cellcom, sometime in the banking industry in Green Bay and finally at UMR.
Kimberly was a beautifully creative person. She enjoyed painting, coloring with her niece, and loved to arrange arts & crafts for the young children at family events. She loved decorating for Christmas, artfully placing ornaments and creating a show stopping display in the living room. She loved to spend time with her family, especially her niece and nephews, taking them to movies, creating tiny villages under the pine trees in the yard and convincing them that the Smurf’s lived there, and fostering their own creativity. She always wanted to help others and was an instrumental part of getting the Livestrong program started at the local YMCA, and was not only a participant, but also spent time volunteering to help other Thrivers. And above all, she loved her family.
Kimberly didn’t like to refer to her time spent with cancer as a “battle” or a “fight”, she always called it a “dance”. Lori was always her best dance partner, but when her Mama Bear needed to take a rest, there was always someone there to step in. Kimberly led her dance with many friends and family over the last nine years. She danced in Chicago, at Rush University Medical Center, where she had 2 surgeries, including her first on March 30, 2009. She danced in Milwaukee, at Froedtert Hospital, with Dr. Stadler and Dr. Wong. And she danced in Wausau, at Aspirus, with Dr. Ahuja. Some special thanks are needed for these amazing doctors and their teams, as well as the members of her hospice care (specifically Carrie Perry and Flora Jerde), Northcentral Health Care Center for their support and allowing Lori and Tiffany to take the time they needed with Kimberly, and all of the people and businesses that showed their support and donated to the benefits held for Kimberly through the years. She has touched the lives of hundreds and truly enjoyed bringing joy into this world. Kimberly said that butterflies were loved ones that come back to visit and make sure everything is okay, so when you see a butterfly, please think of her.
She is survived by her parents, Eddie and Lori, one sister, Tiffany (Troy) Pluger, a niece, Piper, and twin nephews, Liam and Blaine; grandparents, Tony and MaryAnn (Buchkowski) Kuklinski, all of Hatley, and Daniel Rucinski, Mosinee; aunts and uncles, Richard (Susie) Rucinski, David (Bobbie) Rucinski, Mary (Armand) Carver, Diane (Gerry) Kuhr, Joyce Nechuta, Tammy (Mark) Bennett, Bill (Christine) Rucinski, Sue St. Germain, and Jean (Duzer) Pochinski; and best friend since childhood, Amanda Kluck. She is also survived by several loving great aunts and great uncles, many cousins, other relatives, and wonderful friends. A special thank you to Tammy and Susie for their extra support over the years with attending many of Kimberly’s numerous appointments.
Kimberly was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Patricia “Patsy” (Nemke) Rucinski; great uncles Al Buchkowski, Tom Hessey, and Gary “Poncho” Kuklinski; great aunts Darlene Berlik and Virginia Pochinski; uncles Richard “Kooba” Ryskiewcz and Jerry Nechuta; and her cousins, Sierra Buchkowski and Dustin Pochinski.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on April 5th, 2018 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Florian Catholic Church, Hatley. Rev Greg Bohren will preside. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established in Kimberly’s name. It is asked that you honor Kimberly’s creative spirit and bright soul by not wearing black, but instead something colorful.
“I always knew that in another life I could fly, which is why in this life, I dance.” -from the TV series, Dance Academy
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkramer.com
Leonard H. Stauske
Leonard Herman Stauske was born to Edwin and Magdalena (Hargraves) on March 29, 1942, in Athens, Wisconsin. He died of acute leukemia at the House of Dove in Marshfield on Saturday, March 31, 2018. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church. He attended Trinity Lutheran School for eight years and then graduated from Athens High School in 1960. He was a faithful and loyal member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Athens and served on the Church Council as an elder for several years.
Leonard owned and operated the Stauske Saw Mill out of Athens for many years, constructed or remodeled many barns and steel pole sheds. He also installed barn cleaners and other barn equipment and in later years worked at Decker Lumber Company of Athens.
After retirement, his main interest was working in the woods and sawing lumber with his private Wood -Miser. A cabin was built near Medford and while spending many days there, he planted and harvested a large vegetable garden and planted sunflowers, beans and corn with his “antique” equipment. He also tapped trees and made maple syrup on many spring days. Around his home in Athens, he constructed a gazebo onto the deck and because Christmas was his favorite holiday, the yard was decorated with a large Ferris wheel, a carousel, and had lights on nearly every tree. Many people from Athens and the surrounding areas greatly enjoyed viewing these sights.
He especially enjoyed tour trips throughout the United States, his favorites were Alaska and Hawaii.
He was married to Louetta Lavin on June 1, 1997, at St. John Lutheran Church, high steeple. She survives.
He is the father of two sons, Allen (Tina) and Ed (Brenda) both of Athens and a step son, Scott Suder, of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. He is survived by a brother, Walter, of Medford, and a sister, Carol Carl, of Rib Mountain, two granddaughters, Kelly Stauske and Carissa (Ben) Blasel), an aunt, Marcella Hargraves of Wausau, an uncle and aunt, Clements and Joan Hargraves of Stratford, and Gladys Hargraves of Athens. Wisconsin. He is deceased by his parents and a brother, Bernard.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, April 4, 2018, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, Athens, and again on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the church. Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m., Pastor Mark Schwalberg will officiate.
Special thanks for the excellent care Leonard received at the House of Dove in Marshfield, Dr, Isaac Yeboah, Oncology/Hematology of the Marshfield Clinic and to the nurses at the Marshfield Care Center.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established in Leonard’s name.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com
Dolores L. Swedowski, 86 of Bevent, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 30, 2018 at Marshfield Medical Center surrounded by her loving husband and family.
Dolores was born on November 13, 1931 in Stevens Point, the daughter of the late Alvin and Laura (Frydock) Laska.
As a young girl, Dolores moved from Stevens Point to Wausau and worked at the Wausau Hospital as a candy striper. She then moved to Milwaukee for a time and lived with an aunt for work. During her time in Milwaukee, she met and fell in love with her “Polish Boyfriend,” Raymond. They were united in marriage on October 28, 1950 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Wausau and together they had 67 years of marriage. After marriage they moved to a farm in Peplin for five years, then to the homestead in Bevent where they remained and raised their loving and growing family.
Dolores grew an organic garden, before it became popular, to feed her large family. She canned hundreds of quarts of fruits and vegetables annually. She raised her own chickens for eggs and for traditional Sunday chicken dinners for the family. Dolores baked six loaves of her delicious bread three times a week, which was a family treat. Dolores worked from sun up to sun down raising her children, tending to the household and also helping Raymond with the farm work, bailing hay, picking potatoes, milking cows and many other farming tasks. Dolores loved to go blackberry picking and mushroom picking. She enjoyed quilting, knitting, needle pointing, embroidering and making clothes for her children. Many of Delores’ talents have been passed down to her children and grandchildren. In retirement, Dolores enjoyed reading many books and watching her grandchildren.
Dolores is survived and will be deeply missed by her husband, Raymond; ten children, Arlene (Jerry) Garski, Sandi (Victor) Schuttenberg, Dianne (Ralph) Cherek, Barb (Donald) Sarenpa, Karen (Myron ‘John’) Omernik, Ellen (Mike) Wanta, Janice (Rob) Staszak, Kenneth Swedowski, Mick Swedowski and Sherry (Mark) Wanta; 23 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Gerald (Kathy) Laska and Mike (Mary) Laska; four sisters, Lorraine Hornung, Betty Booth, Marge Johnsen and Bernice Missall; three sisters-in-law, Delores Swedowski, Lorraine Jakubowski and Phyllis Laska.
Dolores was preceded in death by her parents; one child, Cynthia Rose; one grandchild, Tracy; four brothers, Hank (Lydia), Robert (Sophia), Eugene and Norbert and three sisters, Caroline Repinski, Theresa Mearek and JoAnn Ziebell.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Friday, April 6, 2018 at St. Ladislaus Catholic Church in Bevent. Rev. Jeffrey Hennes will officiate. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM until the time of Mass at the church. Inurnment will be in the Parish Cemetery.
Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Wittenberg is assisting the family with arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared at schmidtschulta.com or at Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home on Facebook.
The family would like to give their heartfelt gratitude and thanks to Sister Mary Ellen Diermeier for spiritual guidance and to Acorn Hills staff for the care provided to Dolores during her stay.
