Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home & Cremation Center, with locations in Wausau and Weston.

Doris Doepke

Arrangements are pending with Brainard Funeral Home – Wausau Chapel.

Joyce E. Simonson

Joyce E. Simonson, 89, passed away early morning on Saturday, April 14, 2018.

Born Joyce Elizabeth Eggen in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on December 5, 1928 to Jack and Elizabeth Eggen, she spent her childhood in Negaunee, Michigan until graduating from high
school in 1946. That year she moved to Wausau and began work as a Western Union Telegraph operator, where she met her soon-to-be husband, Donald Simonson (d.2004). They married on October 22, 1949. Joyce later served as a US Postal employee, and in 1967, became the first female mail carrier in Wausau. She was later promoted to postmaster secretary, where she served until her retirement in 1992.

She was a tireless volunteer in several organizations; many will fondly remember her work as a voting poll worker for many years. Her favorite activities included bowling, card club, reading, gardening, her pets and her greatest love, travel. Later in their 55 year marriage, she and husband Don traveled the world, and after his passing she continued to travel with companions Sharon and Kay.

She is preceded in death by her husband Donald, and is survived by daughters Susan (Scott) Chapin, Fort Lauderdale, FL, Cathleen (Scott) Jacobson, Gleason, WI; grandchildren Brent Chapin (fiancé Patricia), Denver, CO, Blair Chapin, Denver, CO, Elizabeth Chapin-Hetherington (Christopher), Long Beach CA, Troy Jacobson (Deb Hughes) Mineral Point, WI, Kelly Jacobson (Joel Kaskavitch) Wausau, WI; great-granddaughters Danika and Chloe (Coco) Buttke; honorary great-granddaughter Kallie Kaskavitch; honorary step-grandson Michael Dux, Jacksonville, FL and several nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to the staff at Aspirus Wausau Hospital, the staff at The Bay at Colonial Manor, as well as Interim Hospice.

A Memorial Mass will be held Friday, April 20 at 10:30 am at Church of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ, 621 N. 2nd Street, Wausau with a visitation from 9:00 am until the time of service. Monsignor Mark Pierce will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, Donations may be made to Interim Hospice, or the Marathon County Humane Society.

To share memories and condolences, please visit www.brainardfuneral.com.

Mary Hancock

Mary A. Hancock, 70, of Weston, passed away on Friday, April 13, 2018 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

Mary was born on July 30, 1947 and the only child of the late Loyal A. and Marguerite Clark.

She was a graduate of Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. She married Roger Hancock on June 6, 1970 at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, Rothschild. Mary worked as an administrative assistant at Northcentral Health Care until her retirement. Mary was a member of Embroider Guild in Wausau and an avid Bridge player.

Mary is survived by her husband of 47 years, Roger and son, Patrick Hancock of Weston. Mary was preceded in death by her parents.

Visitation will be held on Friday, April 20th from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Brainard Funeral Home- Everest Chapel, 5712 Memorial Court, Weston. Private burial will be at Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery.

David Utecht

David E. Utecht, 85, of Wausau passed away on April 12, 2018 at his home.

He was born on October 3, 1932 in Wausau, the son of the late Frederick and Helen (Roe) Utecht. On June 10, 1967 he married Pearl Lutzewitz at St. Stephens Lutheran Church in Wausau.

David enjoyed working on antique cars and was a member of the Wausau Antique Auto Club. He also enjoyed working around the house and spending time with family and friends.

Survivors include his wife of 50 years Pearl and his children Joanna (Keith) Stenberg, Rebecca(Bill) Pries, Sarah(Paul) Gwidt, 10 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and a sister Marlene Sommerfeldt.

He was further preceded in death by a brother, sister, and a son-in-law.

The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 17, 2018, at Our Saviors Evangelical Lutheran Church, 703 Flieth Street, Wausau. Visitation will be at the church on Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Entombment will be at Restlawn Memorial Park, town of Texas following funeral service. Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. You may sign our family guest book at helke.com

Frederick Mehre

Frederick W. Mehre, 85, Schofield died Saturday, April 14, 2018 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

He was born January 13, 1933 in Milwaukee, son of the late Frederick W. and Genevieve (Campfield) Mehre. On March 17, 1956 he married Edith Heitkemper in Crown Point, Indiana. She preceded him in death on July 2, 2012.

For more than 46 years Fred worked at Asplundh Tree Expert Company, working thru the ranks and retiring as Vice President. Some of Fred’s pastimes included reading and wood carving; especially in the last 15 years. He was proud to be the 1st Constable/Chief of Police in Germantown. Fred was a proud member of the VFW and the American Legion and the Last Mans Club, all of Wausau.

Survivors include his children, Pat (Rob) Van Oeveren, Lansing, MI, Rick Mehre, Minnesota and Kurt (Lisa) Mehre, Schofield, four grandchildren, Shannon Wendland, Alicia Mehre, Melissa (Patrick) Murphy and Moses Mehre, five great grandchildren and one sister, Gwen (Ronald) Spitza, Germantown.

Besides his parents and wife he was preceded in death by his son, Jon Scott Mehre.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 20, 2018 at Memorial Chapel Mausoleum, Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services all at the Chapel. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com