Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home & Cremation Center, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Hailey Keeling
Hailey Paige Keeling, 23, of Schofield, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. She leaves behind four children, Charline, Mac, Machail and Carmen; her mom, Christina; sister Taylor (fiancée Erica); brother Tanner; as well as seven sisters in Little Rock, Arkansas, and many special friends.
Hailey was born in Fond du Lac on April 17, 1995. After graduation, Hailey did what she did best, she became a mom. She loved the feeling she got from being a mom; something she liked to practice when she was young. She would act like a second mom to her little brother and sister, always taking care of them. But nothing made her happier than the day she had her first child. Hailey was upbeat and loved to act silly. She would dance around the house singing the “Peanut Butter & Jelly” song, just so she could make people laugh. She was the glue that held everyone together. Her spirit and positive outlook on life made everything OK. Her bright smile and laugh will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
A service will be held for Hailey at a later date.
Memorials may be directed to Helke Funeral Home to assist the family with funeral expenses.
The family asks that you remember the light that Hailey brought into each one of your lives and cherish the memories that you all made with her.
Barbara Koppa
Barbara A. Koppa, 75, of Wausau, passed away May 18, 2018, at Wausau Aspirus Hospital after a long battle with cancer.
She enjoyed baking, cooking, arts and crafts, gardening, making hats for babies with her hat looms, collecting her angel figurines, watching Disney movies, with “The Sound of Music” and “Grease” being her favorites, as well as watching the Green Bay Packers play, going for rides to look at the beautiful changing colors of the trees, flowers and birds. She also loved decorating for all holidays, volunteering and spending time with her family and friends.
Barbara is survived by her children Shari Streeter, Benicia CA, Gina (Philip Walters) Koppa, Wausau, WI, Amy (Paul) Nelson, Wausau, WI and Robert Heil, Wausau, WI. Her 7 cherished grandchildren Shane Streeter, Shawn Streeter, Brea Heil, Payton Nelson, Paige Nelson, Patty Nelson and Vincent Walters. She is also survived by her brother Robert (Joyce) Kickbusch, Brookfield WI, sister Marlene Klemm, Wausau, WI and sister-in-law Lois Kickbusch, Wausau, WI and many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents Herbert and Bertha (Henning) Kickbusch, her brother Charles Kickbusch, brother-in-law Donald Klemm and daughter Brenda Heil.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, May 23, 2018, at 10 a.m. at John Buettgen Funeral Home, 948 Grand Ave., Schofield, Wisconsin. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until time of service at noon, with Pastor Zach Holdorf officiating.
We would like to thank the wonderful and caring staff at Mt. View Care Center for the time they spent caring for our beloved mother over the past years, as well as Aspirus Hospice care for their care in her last days of life.
She will be greatly missed by her family and friends each and every day. May she rest in peace at her final resting place at Restlawn Memorial Cemetery.
John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting the family at this time. Online condolences can be made at www.HonorOne.com.
Todd Hetzel
Todd H. Hetzel passed away on May 17, 2018, at Edenbrook of Wisconsin Rapids.
He was born to Herbert and Ethel (O’Dell) Hetzel on September 29, 1965. He enjoyed hobby farming, camping, fishing and playing pranks on his three nieces, Nichole, Michelle and Danielle. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1983. He was a member of the Eagles Club for many years.
He is survived by his son Kendell Gaetz, brother Keith, and sister Wendy Schwartz all of Wisconsin Rapids, and great nieces and nephews. He is further survived by his special friend and constant companion of 24 years, Gerald Schmick.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law Jeff Schwartz.
A memorial service is planned for May 30, 2018, at 11 a.m. at the Wisconsin Rapids United Methodist Church, Reverend Joshua Pegram officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until time of services.
A special thank you to Gerald Schmick for all the care and support he gave Todd during his time of greatest need.
Mid Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting the family at this time. Online condolences can be made at www.HonorOne.com.
Kenneth Fraaza
Kenneth Dick Fraaza went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, May 22, 2018, at the age of 86.
He was the son of the late Frank and Lena (VanVuren) Fraaza of Ringle. On August 14, 1953, Ken was united in marriage to Jenny Mae Woznicki and the couple would have celebrated 65 years of marriage this summer.
Ken was a veteran and proudly served in Korea from 1955-1957. He was a dairy farmer much of his life. He loved people and volunteering was meaningful to him. Ken was an active and faithful member of the Forestville Reformed Church, which later became New Hope Community Church, where he served in many areas. He was a passionate Wisconsin Badgers fan and loved spending time with his family.
Ken is survived by his wife, Jenny; five children, Kathy (Kyle) DeYarmen of Weston, Jeanine (John) Schmitt of Eagle River, Kelvin (Barbara) Fraaza of Ringle, Karen (Ronald) Beck of Rothschild, and Janna (Christopher) Janke of Weston; 13 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Ken is further survived by a brother, Delmar Fraaza of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and a sister, Ellen Friefeldt of Arizona.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and three sisters.
A Celebration of Ken’s Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 25, 2018, at New Hope Community Church, Wausau. Rev. Dan Jelsma and Rev. Larry TenHaken will officiate. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Burial will take place in Forestville Cemetery with military rites conducted by the Darling-Gunderson Post #341 American Legion of Birnamwood. Luncheon will then follow at New Hope Community Church.
Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Birnamwood, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Memories and condolences may be left at schmidtschulta.com or at Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home on Facebook.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like to donate to Ken’s favorite charity.
Cindy Merriam
Cindy L. Merriam, 47, of the town of Hewitt, died on Saturday, May 19, 2018, in Rochester, Minnesota, surrounded by her family.
She was born on January 19, 1971, in St. Paul, Minnesota, the daughter of Leroy and Linda (Westberg) Deland of Schofield.
On November 8, 2002, Cindy was united in marriage to David Merriam at Zion Lutheran Church, Star Road, Aniwa. He survives.
Cindy was employed as a press operator at Sonoco of Wausau from 1999 until 2012. She was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church. Cindy enjoyed fishing, baking, camping and doing crafts. Most important was the time she spent with her children and grandchildren.
Survivors include her husband, David; parents, Leroy and Linda Deland; four sons, Kyle (Whitney) Weaver of Merrill, Kelvin (Jolyinne) Weaver of Birnamwood, Kurtis Weaver of Kronenwetter and Kevin (Latisha) Weaver of Wausau; four grandchildren, Karlee, James, Riley, Kimberly and a fifth on the way; siblings, Jeff (Sandy) Deland of Merrill, Dan Deland of Wausau, Steve Deland of Schofield, Tim (Judy) Deland of Weston, Barry (friend Kim) Deland of Rib Mountain, Brenda (friend Gary) Deland of Wausau and Keith (friend Jess) Deland of Wausau; father-in-law, Leslie Merriam and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Cindy was preceded in death by her grandparents; uncle Dale and mother-in-law, Arlene Merriam.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 26, 2018, at Zion Lutheran Church, Star Road, Aniwa. Rev. Ryan Fehrmann will officiate. Interment will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau.
Visitation will be on Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and again on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service all at the church.
Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Birnamwood, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Memories and condolences can be shared at schmidtschulta.com or at Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home on Facebook.
