Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home & Cremation Center, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Russell Nikolai
Russell Nikolai passed away on May 13, 2018.
He was born January 29, 1931, in Marathon County, Wausau, to August and Irene (Hartwig) Nikolai. He married Leila R. Weiland on November 10, 1972.
Russell served in the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy in South Korea.
He is survived by his wife, Leila; daughters Patricia Lambert and Barbara Nikolai; step-daughter Lynn Springer; grandchildren Michael Iozzo, Libby (Nick) Langendorfer, and Sara (Andy) Patton; great-grandchildren Michael Patton and Claire Langendorfer. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Father William Nikolai, Don Nikolai, Phillip Nikolai, Harold Nikolai, Jerry Nikolai, and Ken Nikolai.
Funeral Service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 18, at Brainard Funeral Home – Everest Chapel 5712 Memorial Court, Weston. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until the time of services at the Funeral Home. Entombment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park Garden of Eternal Rest. Military Honors will be performed by the United States Navy.
Online Condolences may be given at www.brainardfuneral.com.
Ruth Glimm
Ruth J. Glimm, 90, of Wausau, passed away May 16, 2018, at Benedictine Living Community with her family by her side.
Ruth is survived by her children Vicki (Richard) Stuhr and Steven (Kay) Glimm; daughter-in-law Kathy Glimm; 6 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Warren Glimm and son, Robert Glimm.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, May 23, at 11 am at Brainard Funeral Home, 522 Adams St., Wausau, with a visitation from 9 a.m. until the time of services. Entombment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park.
To share memories and condolences, please visit www.brainardfuneral.com.
Kenneth Smitala
Kenneth Smitala Sr., born on July 20, 1928, in Waukegan, Illinois, to Sophie (Drinka) and Stephen Smitala, passed away at age 89 on May 11, 2018, at Mount View Care Center in Wausau, Wisconsin. Kenneth graduated from Waukegan High School in 1946 and then served in the US Army in Korea until 1948.
He was the beloved husband of Monique (Nikki) (St. Martin); former husband of the late Joan (Dudink).
He is survived by his daughters, Cynthia (Richard) Higley, Christine, and Julie (Mike) Jadrich; sons, Stephen (Donna), Kenneth Jr. (Margaret), Paul (Lori), Thomas, and Todd (Claudio, Agnaldo); sister, Phyllis Greene; 16 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
He enjoyed fishing, golf, spending time on the lake, and keeping his family and friends busy and entertained with wacky, elaborate projects. He was a member of the American Legion and Minocqua Lions Club.
Memorials preferred to the Wisconsin Parkinson Association or the American Macular Degeneration Foundation. Special thanks to the staff at the Wausau area hospitals and care centers for all of their kind and compassionate care. There will be private family services.
Dale Nass
Dale R. Nass, 69, of Wausau passed away on Saturday, March 3, 2018, at Colonial Manor Rehabilitation Center.
He was born November 27, 1948, in Wausau to the late Clarence and Esther (Anklam) Nass. Dale was a graduate of Wausau High School. At the age of 19, he was in a car accident that left him paralyzed. Even though he was disabled, Dale never let that get in his way. He later graduated from Northcentral Technical College. After 35 years of service, Dale retired from Wausau Insurance as a Senior Claims Adjuster. On October 10, 1987, Dale married Jackie Leslie at the family home. Jackie and her children, Chris and Cindy made sure Dale stayed active in helping him try new things. Dale was blessed with many good friends, a wonderful sense of humor and a love for his many pets over the years. Dale was an avid Brewers fan who had special clubhouse privileges at the old County Stadium.
Survivors include his wife, Jackie, step children, Chris (Donna) Huitfeldt, Cindy (Larry) Opichka and their daughter, Josie, all of Wausau, three brothers, DuWayne of Modesto, CA, Ronald (Bonnie) of Columbus, OH, Lyle (Bonnie) of Green Bay, one sister, Joanne Gnirk of Mn and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Clark.
Memorial services will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 23, 2018, at Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce St., Wausau. Reverend Joy Nelson-Jeffers will officiate. Burial will be in the town of Berlin Cemetery. Friends may call Wednesday at the funeral home from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services. You may sign our family guest book at helke.com.
Memorials may be directed to the Marathon County Humane Society, 7001 Packer Drive, Wausau, 54401 or the charity of your choice.
Julie Knetter
Julie K. Knetter, of Kronewetter, Wisconsin, passed away on Monday, May 14, 2018, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital, after losing her battle with cancer. Julie was born on May 3, 1962, in Wausau, to the late Thomas Koppa Sr. and Karen (Sorenson) Koppa.
Julie married her soulmate, Patrick Knetter of Wausau in October 1994. They enjoyed 23 wonderful years living together as a loving couple. She worked at Aspirus Wausau Hospital as an assistant to the Manager of Lifeline. Her relationship with her employer, and the support of the staff greatly helped during her valiant struggle to overcome her illness.
She was a fan of the outdoors and enjoyed boating, fishing, snowmobiling, skiing, auto racing and live entertainment venues. She was particularly fond of walks with her husband enjoying the natural scenery of the Smokey Mountains and the Wisconsin outdoors. Julie was very family oriented and loved spending time with her nephews and nieces whom she treated as her own children.
She was godmother to her nephew Corey Koppa, niece Loralee Hollman, and niece Kathrine Koppa. Julie was always happy to spend time at home, however, she never acquired the knack of food preparation. She was often asked by family members if her kitchen stove had ever been turned on!
She is survived by her husband Patrick, her mother Karen Koppa, and siblings: Deborah (Steven) Pierschalla, Kathryn (Michael) Cairns, Thomas Koppa Jr., Scott (Mary) Koppa, Tracy (Thomas) Woller, Amy (Mathew) Thompson, 15 nieces and nephews, 18 great nieces and nephews, and several aunts and uncles.
She was preceded in death by her father, Thomas Koppa Sr., and brother Jeffrey Koppa.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, May 21, 2018, at Saint Paul Catholic Church 603 Fourth St., Mosinee, Wisconsin. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until time of mass at 11 with Fr. Donald Przybylski officiating.
John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting the family at this time. Online condolences can be made at www.HonorOne.com.
James Schmidt
James “Jim” Schmidt, 61, of Rudolph, passed on into eternity with his Lord Savior on May 14, 2018, at Aspirus Hospital in Wausau, Wisconsin, after a courageous battle with cancer. Jim was born on September 14, 1956, to James and Joyce (Larson) Schmidt in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He graduated from Hamilton High School in Sussex, Wisconsin. Jim married Barbara (Ring) on April 25, 1986, and they were married for 32 years in which they shared their life together in Rudolph, Wisconsin.
Jim worked construction for most of his life and was owner of JLS Construction. Most recently Jim was able to share his love of food and smoking food by sharing what he learned from his grandfather on the shores of Lake Winnebago. With this love and expertise, he alongside his wife Barb worked and owned together- Jims-Barbie-Q Shack in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. It is here at the shack that Jim was able to meet and interact with his customers and where he developed deep and meaningful friendships.
Jim also had a strong faith in Jesus, which was very important to him. Jim will also be remembered for his extensive love for the outdoors and his love for the horses that he had. He loved fishing and hunting. Jim enjoyed working on his pond and light house. Most of all Jim had an unconditional love that will never end for his grandchildren, each held their own special place within his heart.
He is survived by his wife; Barbara Schmidt. His parents James & Joyce Schmidt, his sisters, Sharon all of Clinton, Arkansas, Annette Schmidt, AZ, and also his brother Paul of Sargent, TX. He is also survived by his daughter; Kelly (Troy) Baumgardt and their children Megan, Myah and Myranda. His sons; Chad and his children Ella & Dawson, Mike (Beth) Barker and their children Hayden, Gavin & Evan, Edward (Jamie) Barker and their daughter Abigail, Daniel (Brooke) Barker and their children Caleb, Zachary, Annabelle & Gracie.
Jim was preceded in death by his two brothers Robert and Brad.The family will be holding a celebration of life at a later date.
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William Schroeder
William James Schroeder, 76, of Amherst, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Waupaca.
Bill was born September 15, 1941, in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, to Harvey and Mildred Schroeder. On August 23, 1963, he married Mary Elizabeth Isaacson at North New Hope Lutheran Church.
Bill received his bachelor of science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and was employed by the U.S. Forest Service until he retired in 1994.
Following retirement, Bill continued as a forestry consultant in Wisconsin. Bill’s career took the family to some of the most beautiful national forests in the U.S., from the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, to the Black Hills of South Dakota to the Boundary Waters and glacial lakes of the Superior National Forest.
An avid Packers fan, Bill’s return to Wisconsin also brought about a deeper appreciation for Badgers football and Brewers baseball. Many weekday afternoons Bill could be found playing cribbage in town with good friends.
Bill was a member of the Cook Lions Club, and an active member of the Building Committee at Peace Lutheran Church in Amherst. Going back 45 years, the Schroeder family has enjoyed family time at their home on the Tomorrow River. Many happy memories have been created over multiple generations with the most requested meal Bill’s twice baked potatoes and turkey on the Weber.
Bill is survived by his wife, Mary; son, James (Ira), two wonderful grandchildren, Jonathan and Daniel, of Colorado Springs, CO; daughter Julie Schroeder of Portland, OR; sisters Sandy Schroeder, Lynn Sale and Jane Shields; as well as numerous nephews and nieces and some very special grand nephews and niece.
Bill was preceded in death by his daughter Kristen Marie, his parents, and his treasured Aunt Boo Boo. The family thanks Pastors Dwight and Gretchen Anderson, the paramedics and EMTs of Amherst and the medical staff of ThedaCare in Waupaca.
Any donations may be directed to Peace Lutheran Church Building Fund, Amherst, Wisconsin.
A memorial service will be held June 25 at Peace Lutheran Church.
Mid Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting the family at this time. Online condolences can be made at www.HonorOne.com.
