Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home & Cremation Center, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Willard J. Jerue
Willard J. Jerue, 86, of Wausau, passed away peacefully on March 31, 2018 after a one-year battle with cancer. Preceded in death by his wife, Jacqueline McGregor Jerue, he will be laid to rest beside her at Restlawn Memorial Park, 4710 N. Troy Street, Wausau. Respecting Will’s wishes, there will be no service and inurnment will be private.
Will is survived and greatly missed by his son, James L. Jerue (Laurie) of Naperville, Illinois; grandchildren Sarah and Mark; extended family in Wisconsin, Michigan, Florida, Texas, Oregon, and Alaska; and many Wausau neighbors and friends for whom he cared deeply.
Born November 13, 1931, Will was one of four boys born to Raymond and Anna Jerue of Goodman, Wisconsin. He loved the lumber town of Goodman and maintained many dear friends who lived there, or were from there, throughout his lifetime. He was happy to see a historical society take hold there in recent years and contributed many items to it. After high school, where he was both quarterback of the football team and point guard for basketball, Will attended school in Oshkosh before duty called him into the Army during the Korean War. He and Jackie were married 58 years, about 45 of which were spent in Wausau, where Will charmed customers and co-workers at GB Vending for many years.
Will would say, without a doubt, don’t worry about things over which we have no control. A member of the “do it now and it’ll be done” club, he was known for helping family, friends, and neighbors with errands, snow-blowing, landscaping rocks, pet-sitting, or whatever you needed. If he could do it, he would, especially if it resulted in a friendly chat over a Pabst Blue Ribbon beer at the end. He greatly enjoyed his weekly Sheepshead games with the guys and was glad to know them.
Special thanks from our family to the caring medical staff at Aspirus, including the Cancer Center and Hospice House. To the many neighbors and friends who made Will an honorary member of your families, brought over a meal, offered company and rides, helped around the house, or shared laughs and spirited discussion about the Packers or Wisconsin football teams, we appreciate you more than words can say. What a great community!
In lieu of flowers, we think Will would have liked you to honor his memory in any variety of other ways: Smile at the sound of birds chirping in the morning. Check in with a family member or friend. Put things away where you found them. Help a neighbor. Greet someone with a cheery “hello.” Revel in the quiet beauty of a sunset.
And if you’d like to recognize Wisconsin veterans, Will really respected the work done by the Never Forgotten Honor Flight organization. He considered himself so fortunate to have been an Honor Flight participant to Washington, D.C. and it would please him to think that he’d helped other veterans get that same experience.
Memorials in Will’s name can be mailed to Never Forgotten Honor Flight, 4404 Rib Mountain Drive #234, Wausau, WI 54401.
Douglas (Doug) Jacob Hall
Douglas (Doug) Jacob Hall, 55 of Wausau, passed away on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 surrounded by his loving family, following a courageous battle with cancer.
Doug was born on November 10, 1962 in Grand Rapids, MI to the late Marvin and Donna (Vandervoord) Hall. He was a proud graduate of Milwaukee School of Engineering. On October 5, 1985, he married his childhood neighbor and best friend, Ladonna (Passow) Hall. They started Hall Building and Design after building their first home together. The business has a long history of building homes for families in North Central Wisconsin for 30+ years. Their son, Marc, continues this legacy of which Doug was honored to leave in Marc’s hands. In the recent years, Doug enjoyed traveling to see his son, Jake, who resides in San Francisco, CA.
Doug’s altruistic and ambitious attitude was experienced by his family, friends, colleagues, and customers. He was most motivated to care for his family who he demonstrated his love to more than can be expressed in words. Doug felt a special connection with nature and found serenity in the time he spent with his family at their cabin in Rhinelander. He will rest in that special place that they cherished together.
He will be missed by his wife of 32 years, Ladonna Hall of Wausau; sons Dr. Jacob Hall of San Francisco, CA, and Marcus Hall of Wausau; and brothers Michael (Gerri) Hall and Daniel (Lori) Hall. Doug was preceded in death by his parents.
A Celebration of Doug’s life will be held from 4:00 -7:00 p.m. on Monday, April 9, at Brainard Funeral Home – Everest Chapel, 5712 Memorial Court, Weston. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for a donation in Doug’s honor at a later date. Online condolences may be shared at www.brainardfuneral.com.
Douglas Despins
Douglas Despins, 86, Rib Mountain, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 3, 2018. He was born in Norway, MI on December 30, 1931, and was adopted by Ida and Arthur Despins of Kingsford, MI. He graduated from Kingsford High School in 1950. During his high school years, Doug was a ski jumper, skiing in tournaments throughout Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
Doug enlisted in the US Air Force and served from 1951-1955, stationed in Korea for one year. He was a member of the Montgomery-Plant-Dudley American Legion Post 10, Wausau, for 40+ years. He was able to travel with the Never Forgotten Honor Flight XXI from Wausau on September 28, 2015, where he met his chaperone and new friend, Mike.
In 1993, Doug retired from James River Corporation as an electrician. His interests throughout life included hunting, fishing, and golfing. After retirement he golfed nearly every day. He prided himself in having two holes-in-one, one at Bass Lake and the other at the American Legion Golf Course (Tribute Golf Course). Doug was also a Chicago Cubs and a Detroit Lions fan.
Doug married Marjorie Seitz in 1953. He is survived by their two children, Beth (Robert) Ellis, Astoria, OR and Scott (Sally) Despins, DeWitt, MI. In 1972, he married Lucille Porter in Iron Mountain, MI. He is also survived by her three children, Debbie Sleik, Kingsford, MI, Paula (Paul) Raymond, Mosinee, WI and Dan (Beth) Porter, Rothschild, WI. Doug leaves grandchildren Aaron, Isaac, and Rob Ellis, Brad, Mitch, and Amanda Despins, Brad, Brian, and Dan Sleik, Eric and Danielle Raymond, and Katie Porter, and 17 great-grandchildren. Doug is also survived by a special friend, Mary Jo Hildensperger and her family. In addition to his parents, Doug was preceded in death by his wife Lucille and son-in-law Dennis Sleik.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau, with full military honors conducted by the American Legion, Wausau. Rev. Joy Nelson-Jeffers will officiate. Visitation will be on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home. Entombment will be on Monday at Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau.
Doug’s family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and other care providers for their kind, compassionate, and professional care given to Doug during his stay at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Doug can be directed to the Never Forgotten Honor Flight, 4404 Rib Mountain Dr #234, Wausau, WI 54401.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com
Lloyd Burgoyne
Lloyd Burgoyne passed away on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at his home in Weston.
He was born on August 30, 1932 in Weston, WI to Mary (nee Janikowski) and Harold Burgoyne. He married his best friend and sweetheart, Phyllis Engman, on February 19, 1955 and they enjoyed (11 days short of) 51 years of marriage together until her passing in 2006. Lloyd lived a full life that included family camping trips with Phyllis and their children, frequent trips to the casino, and several vacations to Switzerland. He enjoyed the great outdoors spending many Novembers at the “hunting shack” in Hatley, and the summers fishing from his boat on Mud and Norrie lakes.
Lloyd was a talented woodworker and spent many hours in his shop perfecting his craft to create masterpieces like curio cabinets, hope-chests, decorative shelves, and angels for his friends and family. Spending time in the wood shop with Grandpa was one of his granddaughters’ favorite pastimes where they both learned how to use a band saw and electric sander; skills that he believed every little girl should have.
Lloyd proudly served his country in the US Army during the Korean War where he was stationed in Germany. He participated in the Never Forgotten Honor Flight to Washington DC in 2014; a trip he was certainly proud of. He also worked at Marmet Windows until his retirement in 1981.
Lloyd is survived by his children, Jeffrey (Mary Jo) Burgoyne and Cheryl (Gerald) Braxton; granddaughters, Jennifer (Rodger) Josiger and Jessica (John) Huggenvik; great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Ryan Josiger and Grace, Emma, and Anders Huggenvik, all of Wausau; brother, Andrew (Gloria) Burgoyne of Birnamwood; and many nieces and nephews. Additionally, Lloyd is survived by his honorary “son”, Richard (Theresa) Pavlovich of Wausau.
Besides his parents and wife, Lloyd was preceded in death by his infant son, Lloyd Jr., and his brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert (Bertha) Burgoyne and Elroy (Delores) Burgoyne.
A memorial service will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at Peterson Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Avenue, Wausau. Visitation will be held from 1:00 – 3:30 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will be at Restlawn Cemetery, Wausau next to his wife, his angel as he called her, Phyllis and son, Lloyd Jr. In lieu of flowers memorials should be directed to the Never Forgotten Honor Flight or Veterans’ Administration.
Eugene “Gene” Klinger
Eugene “Gene” J. Klinger, 72, Ringle, died Wednesday April 4, 2018 at Ascension St. Clare’s Hospital, Weston. Gene was born Nov. 13, 1945 to the late Bernard and Regina (Czechowicz) Klinger in Wausau. He married Joyce Drewek on Aug. 27, 1988 in Wausau.
After graduating from Wausau East High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served his country honorably for four years. After returning to Wausau he was employed with J.I. Case and later with Norlens Manufacturing where he retired in 2005. Gene loved fishing, boating and sharing that passion with his wife, Joyce. Woodworking was a favorite past-time, as was hunting in its season.
Gene enjoyed many trips with his wife, Joyce, to Europe, Alaska, Jamaica, Bahamas and the United States. Gene visited all 50 states. And Gene was honored to be included in for the 28th Never Forgotten Honor Flight to Washington DC in May of 2017.
Survivors include his wife, Joyce; his son, Jason (Marla) Klinger; his daughter, Becki Benaszeski (Rob Hilber); and four grandchildren, Josh, Justin, Casey and Elise. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Janice Klinger and Diane Van Price.
Funeral services will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Monday April 9, 2018 at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau. Friends and family may call from 4:00 p.m. until the time of the services at the funeral home. Burial will be at Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau at a later date. Veteran Honors will be given by American Legion Post 10, Wausau Honor Guard at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be given at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Gordon H. Seewald 83, of Wausau passed away peacefully on April 4, 2018 at The Bay at Colonial Manor Health & Rehabilitation Nursing.
He was born to the late Guenther and Arlene (Beilke) Seewald on May 30, 1934 at St. Mary Hospital here in Wausau. Gordon is well known to everyone as the “Candy Man.” He had his own cotton candy truck and served his cotton candy to the young and old over the many years in the area. He loved taking his stand to the Speed Way Park, fairs and all other functions. He enjoyed coin collecting, wood working, playing the lottery, doing scratch off Tickets, but most of all spending time with people and telling stories and jokes was his passion.
He is survived by his three children and five grandchildren, along with good friends Kim Maciaz and Megan Chenier.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
Service will be on Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at the Mausoleum at Restlawn Cemetery 4710 N Troy Street, Wausau.
Visitation will be at 11:00 until time of service at 12:00 with Rev. Mark Schwinn officating.
John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting the family at this time. Online condolences can be made at www.HonorOne.com
Mark Goetsch
Mark Goetsch, 60, of Kronenwetter passed away on Thursday, April 5, 2018 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
He was born March 12, 1958 in Wausau to the late Ervin Goetsch and Helen (Hughes) Goetsch of Rib Mountain. Mark was a graduate of Wausau West High School. For many years he was employed at Central Wisconsin Finishing. On December 24, 1986, Mark married Brenda Stanke. They made their home in Kronenwetter raising their two girls, Katrina and Kortney. Mark was a lifelong member of Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, where he helped usher, volunteered at Summerfun and was a past member of the Holy Name Society. He enjoyed vegetable gardening, watching Nascar, listening to Country music and backing the Brewers, Badgers and Packers. Mark will be remembered for his sense of humor and the willingness to help anyone in need. Whether it was blasting tunes in the car, fishing Up North, going camping or go-karting, Mark always loved being with his girls.
Mark is survived by his wife, Brenda, daughters, Katrina (Adam Bordagaray) and Kortney all of Kronenwetter, his grandson, James Anthony, mother, Helen Goetsch of Rib Mountain, three brothers, Allen of Rib Mountain, Gary (Sue) of Fall Creek, Tom (Barb) of Wausau, one sister, Lynn (Dr. Tom) O’Malley of Stevens Point and two brothers-in-law, John Sahr of Wausau and Larry Potts of Tomahawk. Mark was preceded in death by his father, Ervin and two sisters, Karen Sahr and Kathy Potts.
The memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday, April 13, 2018 at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, 1104 S. 9th Ave., Wausau. Father Robert Thorn will officiate. Visitation will be at the church on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services. You may sign our family guest book at helke.com
We would like to thank the staff at Aspirus Oncology Ward and Amy Marquardt for the care, kindness and guidance they gave Mark and our family.
