Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home & Cremation Center, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Kenneth Szeklinski
Kenneth Szeklinski, 76, of Wausau, passed away at his home on May 22, 2018.
Funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 31, 2018, at St. Therese Catholic Church, 113 W. Kort St., Rothschild. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30, 2018, at Brainard Funeral Home – Wausau Chapel, 522 Adams St., and again on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of services at the church.
Online condolences may be shared at www.brainardfuneral.com.
Dennis Hart
Dennis Hart, 71, Athens passed away at his home on May 26, 2018.
Dennis was born Nov. 12, 1946. He was the oldest of 12 children born to the late Cletus and Katherine Hart. He graduated from Athens High School in 1965. He married Beverly (Hopperdietzel) Hart and they raised three sons.
Dennis worked at the Edgar Packing Plant and then farmed until his retirement.
Survivors include his two sons, Ronnie and Jason (Amber), his grandchildren, Josh, Kody, Evan (Kendra), Korin and Amara, two great grandchildren, Jaci and Braelyn, his eleven siblings, Donald Hart, Carol Wisnewski, Karen (Dave) Benna, Linda (Steve) Drewek, Frank Hart (Denise), David (Chris) Hart, Mary (Dave) Hanke, Ervin Hart, Laurie (Donald) Miller, Mike (Kelly) Hart and Rodney (Liz) Hart, daughter-in-law, Linda Hart, aunts, uncles and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Cletus and Katherine Hart, his wife Beverly and his son Rick.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 2, 2018, at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Athens. Friends may call on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services, all at the Athens funeral home.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Anthony “Tony” Zettler
Anthony “Tony” F. Zettler, 76, Edgar, died Friday, May 25, 2018, at Marshfield Medical Center.
He was born March 9, 194,2 in Athens, son of the late Alton and Marjorie (Wozniak) Zettler. On August 13, 1960, he married Shirley Carter at St. Thomas Catholic Church, Milan. She survives.
Tony worked in road construction and retired from County Concrete. He enjoyed hunting, ice fishing and occasional trips to the casino. Even through tough times, Tony always had a smile on his face and time to talk with anyone.
Survivors include his wife, Shirley; children, Gary “Harv” (Julie) Zettler, Allen (Emma) Zettler and Deb (fiancé Sean Grady) Thurs; grandchildren, Jenica Zettler, Caley (Jon) Stahel, Amanda (Aaron) Hamus, Jeff (Megan) Zettler, Kristen (Oscar) Cantu, Zachary Zettler, Tessa (Connor Handrick) Thurs, Marisa (Brandon) Doll and Mariah (fiancé Tyler Kaiser) Zettler; seven great-grandchildren; siblings, Marlene (Melvin) Carter, Dale (Jan) Zettler, Doris (Jim) Bollech, Susie (Dom) Dominowski, Carol (Keith) Myers, Gene (Kathy) Zettler and Lori (Jeff) Haines.
Besides his parents he was preceded in death by two sons, Mark and Mike Zettler, a great-grandson, Trevor Hamus and two brothers, David and Willy Zettler.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated at noon on Tuesday, May 29, 2018, at St. John Catholic Church, Edgar. Rev. Thomas Huff will preside. Visitation will be Monday from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. and again on Tuesday from 11 a.m. until the time of services, all at St. John Catholic Church, Edgar.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Edgar, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Kenneth Mason
Kenneth J. Mason passed away on March 12, 2018.
He was born on Nov. 17, 1922, in Tigerton, Wisconsin, to Frank and Christena (Senn) Mason. He spent his childhood in Rhinelander, graduating from Rhinelander High School. He volunteered for service in the United States Army Air Forces serving in the European Theatre on a B-24 “Liberator” bomber as a radioman and top gunner. He flew 33 missions over Europe including D-Day and received the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal. He completed his service at Truax Field in Madison, Wisconsin, as sergeant major of the radio school.
His parents, Frank and Christena (Senn) Mason, taught him the value of education, and having earned an honorable discharge; he entered the University of Wisconsin at Madison on the G.I. bill to earn his degree in business and accounting from the University of Wisconsin School of Business in 1949. He met (Irma) Doris Eide in Madison, where she was a teacher at Randall School; the couple was married in 1946, beginning 65 loving years together.
After graduation, he was employed by the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, first in Chicago, and later in Elkhart, Indiana, and Joliet, Illinois. In 1955, he went into business in Wausau, and with Mel Sims as his partner, operated Mason and Sims Tires for 37 years.
He was a member of First Presbyterian Church for over 60 years and served as an elder, as well as attending Christian service in Eagle River, Wisconsin, during the summer.
Ken loved the outdoors. He was an avid golfer and shared his love for golf with his wife regularly, playing until he was nearly 90 years old. He also enjoyed tennis, fishing, hunting, reading and traveling. He was active at the American Legion and an Elks Club member for many years.
He is survived by his children: Christy (Charles) Junkerman of Palo Alto, California, Thomas (Bonnie) Mason of Lynchburg, Virginia, Pam (Theodore) Simons of Cary, North Carolina, Stuart Mason of Wausau and James (Angèle) Mason of Taos, New Mexico. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Nicholas (Maude) Junkerman, Hannah Junkerman, Leah (Brad) Virgin, Lance (Annie) Byrd, Meredyth Mason, Corrie Mason, Katie (Justin) Melde; also, six great grandchildren: Alice Junkerman, Jackson, Joshua and Jada-Marie Virgin and Mason and Miles Byrd. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Ruth Mason of Rhinelander and his brother-in-law George Eide of California, as well as many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife Doris, his father Frank and mother Christena, his brothers Eugene “Jim” Mason and Harold Mason and his sister Dorothy Johnson.
Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 2, 2018, at the First Presbyterian Church, 406 Grant St., Wausau, Wisconsin. The Reverend Joy Nelson-Jeffers will officiate. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Committal will be at Restlawn Memorial Park with military rites to be rendered by representatives of the U.S. Army and VFW Burns Post #388.
Helke Funeral Home will be assisting at the memorial service; you may sign the family guestbook of helke.com.
Glenn Eugene Geurink, 86, of Rothschild, passed away on Saturday, May 26, 2018, at home, surrounded by his family.
He was born on March 8, 1932, in the town of Easton, the son of John and Jessie (Jensema) Geurink. Glenn served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957. Glenn married Virgean “Leaha” Erickson on August 23, 1957, at Forestville Reformed Church.
After his marriage, Glenn farmed in the town of Easton until 1968, when he and Leaha moved to Rothschild. They made the move to town so Glenn could take a job as water works operator, a position he held for 26 years. During his career, Glenn put the first water meters in the village with outside readers and also was the recipient of the Small Systems Excellency Award in 1993. He served as a trustee on the village board for 14 years.
Glenn had a love for animals and earlier in his life held memberships in 4-H and FFA. He received numerous blue ribbons, championships and outstanding showmanship awards, including Marathon County’s outstanding young person award.
He was active in his church all of his life serving as a deacon, elder, Sunday School teacher, Catechism teacher, and worked with the award-winning Bible quiz team.
Survivors include his wife, Virgean “Leaha” of Rothschild; daughters, Tammy (John) Lambright of Edwardsville, IL, Laurie (Paul) Van Beek of Eau Claire, and Heidi (Craige) Thompson of Austin, TX; grandchildren, A.J. (Brandi) Lambright, Jessica (Chris) Burcham, Christopher and Carley Van Beek, and Lydia, Madeline, and Noah Thompson; great-grandchild, Nora Burcham; and sister, Laverne Hettinga of Green Bay.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Jessie; brothers, Truman (Ruth) and Lloyd (Delores); sisters, Viola (Andrew) Hettinga and Eva (John) Van Vuren.
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 30, 2018, at New Hope Community Church, E1045 South County Road J, town of Easton, with Pastor Dan Jelsma officiating. Family and friends may call beginning at 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Burial will be in Forestville Cemetery, town of Easton, with military honors provided by the American Legion Montgomery-Plant-Dudley Post #10.
You may sign the family guestbook at www.helke.com.
Chas Nass
With great sorrow, the family of Chas Jelani Nass announces his unexpected passing on May 22, 2018, at the age of 27.
Chas was raised in central Wisconsin, graduating from New London High School, class of 2009. Chas worked for Nass Electric starting in high school through 2015. He completed two years of education with Fox Valley Electrical Contractors Association. Most recently, Chas worked as a technician for Clean Air Services.
His family will miss his humor, unique perspective and his gentle, kind heart. Chas had a passion for fishing, camping, recreational sports and online gaming, all of which he enjoyed sharing with his family and friends. Chas will be forever remembered by his parents, Kathryn Cadeau and Dave Nass (Kathy Bellile-Nass); by his five brothers, Jesse (Lisa) and daughter, Tayler; Dan and daughter, Raigen; Josh (Beth) and sons, Chase, Zach, Connor, and Blake; Barrie (Kate); and Robert (Kim); and by his special cousin, Jodi (Chris) Plott and daughters, Earlaina and Linley. Chas will also be remembered by his many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Chas was preceded in death by grandparents, Gabriel and Fern Cadeau, and Bob and LoRayne Nass.
Visitation will be held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 2, 2018, at Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce St., Wausau, Wisconsin, with services immediately following. Interment will be directly afterward in Town of Berlin Cemetery, 72nd Ave., Wausau, Wisconsin (Town Cemetery, Wausau, WI in Google Maps).
You may sign the family guestbook at www.helke.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the family.
Michael Pachniak
Michael M Pachniak, 71, died Friday May 25, 2018, surrounded by his family. He was born on Sept. 11, 1946, to Chester and Helen (Dul) Pachniak.
Michael married Cora Dean on Feb. 12, 1988. Michael enjoyed buying and selling farm equipment, going to auctions and spending time with his family.
Michael is survived by his wife Cora Pachniak, a brother Erv Pachniak, three children Mary (Dan) Doll , Cathrine Pachniak, Robert (Heidi) Pachniak, six step children June (Bob) Lancour, Diane Simonis, Tammie (Jim) Dupuis, Lisa (Brian) Simonis, Ricky (Deb) Dean, Robin (Roger) Kiggins, eight grandchildren and several step grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents Chester and Helen, and his granddaughter Courtney Simonis.
Special thank you to Nancy Cimuchowski, and Bob and Jerry Marciniak for all you have done.
Services will be held on Friday, June 1, 2018, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 651 Mead Lane, Mosinee, with visitation at 10 a.m. until the time of Mass at 11 a.m. Father Jim Trempe will be officiating.
John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting family at this time. Online condolences can be made at www.HonorOne.com.
Ruth Derse
Ruth Evelyn Derse, 92, died peacefully on May 15, 2018, after complications of congestive heart failure. She was born June 7, 1925, in Middletown, New York. Throughout her life, Ruth was a strong advocate for girls’ and women’s education, exercise, fitness and lifelong learning.
Her parents, Walter R. and Helen Pergande, gave Ruth the gift of an unconventional upbringing. As Seventh Day Adventists in the early 1930s, they brought Ruth and siblings Winifred (deceased) and Roland (deceased) on missionary travels to South America and Europe. As travelers, they exposed Ruth at a young age to other cultures, languages and points of view. As vegetarians, they inspired her lifelong interest in nutrition and healthy living. As missionaries, they instilled in her a strong moral code. Ruth often spoke of playing games with her brother by rolling oranges up and down ship decks on their way to Argentina and Brazil, and seeing frightening events in pre-war Germany.
Ruth always knew that she wanted to be a physical education teacher. She entered the University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse but, as World War ll approached, she joined the Waves Hospital Corps to serve her country. By that time she had met Robert Emmet Heaney, a U.S. Navy boatswain’s mate. After his ship was attacked at the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Robert would go on to serve in 14 subsequent naval engagements, earning him a Purple Heart among his other medals. Ruth and Robert were married in the Catholic faith, and Ruth cared for him until he passed away in 1972.
After the war, Ruth attended a speech given by Eleanor Roosevelt at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UW-M). Mrs. Roosevelt’s speech inspired her to use the GI bill to resume her college education. She enrolled in UW-M as a married mother of three — an idea virtually unheard of in the 1950s. Upon enrollment, Ruth was told that she would need to have a double major. “No one will ever hire a woman as a physical education coach,” she was told — and she would be able to find employment only as a classroom teacher. In 1964, Ruth earned a bachelor’s degree from UW-M with a double major in elementary education and physical education. In 1968, she earned a master’s degree in curriculum and supervision and become a lifelong advocate for women’s and girls’ education. After her master’s degree, she earned additional course credits in human growth and development, gender equity programs, and Title IX. She was a classroom teacher and a physical education coach at Glen Hills Middle School, in the Glendale-River Hills School District, for 25 years (six years at Parkway Elementary). She taught and coached hundreds of boys and girls, in classrooms and swimming pools, on soccer fields and basketball and tennis courts, in Glendale, Mequon and Whitefish Bay. Ruth also taught for two years at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Ruth was devoted to her home, family and community. As she was earning her teaching degrees at UW-M, she taught at the Business Institute of Milwaukee and worked as a hostess in a local restaurant to support her children and husband. She found time to sew her children’s clothes, knit sweaters, make prom dresses, embroider pillowcases and dishtowels, and bake beautiful cakes, cookies and pies during the holidays. A memorable cake was dark chocolate decorated with fresh daisies that helped her earn an award as a finalist in the 1958 Mrs. Wisconsin contest. She loved gardening and grew flowers, tomatoes and berries. She made currant jelly from the bushes grown in her back yard. She supported many community organizations, including the Milwaukee District – Wisconsin Garden Club and Florentine Opera. She loved singing and was a member of the Whitefish Bay Holy Family church choir. She taught summer playground. Following her retirement, she was elected president of the Whitefish Bay School Board.
In 1978, Ruth married John W. Derse and together they enjoyed golf, bike riding, walking, gardening and watching sports on TV. John passed away in November, 2013.
Ruth is the beloved mother of Maureen H. Emrey (Robert C. Emrey), Washington D.C.; Coleen H. Kennedy (Michael W. Juers), Wausau, Wisconsin; and Kathleen H. Heaney, Cold Spring, New York. She is the beloved grandmother of Kevin J. Kennedy, Katie R. Kennedy (deceased), Robert R. Lambeth, and Patrick J. Norton (Katie M. Runyan), and the beloved great-grandmother of Bradley J. Kennedy and Myla K. Kennedy. She is survived by her niece, Patricia E. Ripani, her nephew Dana Pergande, and great nieces and nephews.
Ruth’s family acknowledges and is forever grateful for the kind and caring support of Barbara Marschall, friend to Ruth for many years, and the help and compassionate care of the nurses, aides, social workers and chaplain at Ministry Home Care Hospice Services; Tender Reflections Assisted Living; and St. Clare’s Hospital in Weston, Wisconsin.
Family and friends attended the visitation at 9 a.m., Tuesday, May 22, at Old St. Mary’s Church, 844 N. Broadway, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the Mass that followed.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the Katie Kennedy Memorial Babcock House Scholarship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Foundation. Donations may also be made to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Donations to the scholarship fund can be given online at http://supportuw.org/giveto/babcockhouse.
Donations to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee can be given online at givetouwm.uwmfdn.org.
