Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home & Cremation Center, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Eugene Anderson
Eugene Nailus Anderson, 96, of Wausau, passed away at home on Saturday, July 7, 2018.
Eugene, who typically went by “Andy”, was born July 5, 1922, at home in the town of Maine to the late Nailus and Martha (Genz) Anderson. Andy married Delores Schwede on Aug. 17, 1946, in the town of Texas at Mission Evangelical Church. He served in the Army from 1943 to 1946 and was in the Battle of the Bulge. He was a licensed stone cutter for Anderson Bros. and a welder at Hammer Blow, from where he retired. Andy spent his summers working at Camp Blessing as a handyman and mowed lawns at the camp, cemetery and church. He was an active member of the Honor Guard for VFW 388 and was a life member. Eugene was also a deacon at the church, helping out with anything that had to be done. He loved his 10 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and 2 great great-grandchildren.
Andy is survived by his wife, Delores; sons, Gary D. (Estelle) Anderson, Mark N. (Janeen) Anderson, Brian C. (Julie) Anderson; daughters, Gloria J. (Thomas) Pagel, Marcia M. (Jon) Graveen; grandchildren, Christopher (Jamie) Anderson, Eugene (Sandy) Pagel, Philip (Tanya) Pagel, Ruth (Jonathan) Jones, David (Andrea) Graveen, Michael (Rebecca) Graveen, Ashley (Thomas) Brock, Dr. Katherine (Collin) Anderson, Deborah (Michael) Stencil, Joel (Angela) Anderson; 25 great-grandchildren; 2 great great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Shirley Anderson and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Eugene is preceded in death by his parents, sister, Emogene (LeRoy) Rhyner and brother, Donald Anderson.
A visitation will be held Tuesday, July 10, from 4 p.m.-8 p.m. and again on Wednesday from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. with a service at 11 a.m. at Mission Evangelical Church, T12780 County Road WW, Wausau. Elder Richard Ostwald will preside. Burial will follow at Mission Evangelical Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the church or Camp Blessing.
David Trzebiatowski
David A. Trzebiatowski, 67, of Weston, died at home on July 5, 2018, surrounded by his family.
David was born Janu. 22, 1951, in Wausau to the late Joseph and Jean (Esker) Trzebiatowski. He graduated from D.C. Everest High School and later married Betsy Traska, on July 7, 1973, at St. Florian’s Catholic Church in Hatley. Together, they had two children: Kevin and Denise. David served in the National Guard for 22 years and enjoyed working at Greenheck Fan Corp for 49 years as a shift lead. Some of the things David enjoyed were road trips, NASCAR races, spending time with his family, cooking and polkas — listening to the Polka Show every Sunday. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed tending to his flower beds.
David is survived by his wife, Betsy; children Kevin Trzebiatowski and Denise (Ben) Shepherd; grandchildren Savannah and Brinlee Shepherd. He is preceded in death by son Scott Trzebiatowski.
A memorial service will be Thursday, July 12, 2018, at 6 p.m. at Brainard Funeral Home, 5712 Memorial Court, Weston, with a visitation from 3 p.m. until the time of services. Joe Jazdzewski, David’s cousin, will officiate the service.
Arlene Gusman
Arlene Janice Gusman, 84, died July 6, 2018, at Pride TLC, Weston.
She was born March 5, 1934, in Wausau, daughter of the late Henry and Thelma (Eastling) Gusman.
Arlene was raised in Wausau and graduated from Wausau High School. As a single working girl, and while in Wausau, she was employed at Drott Manufacturing, Chem-Chrome Inc. and Powder Technology Inc. She also lived and worked in Florida, for several years. Arlene poured her life into relationships, enjoying her three nieces immensely during their growing years, and thrived in Christian fellowship. Arlene was an avid reader and loved sharing biblical truths by recommending her favorite books. Being a follower of Jesus Christ filled her with a quest to encourage her friends to grow spiritually. A few of these friends are affectionately known as her spiritual children. She was active with her church family at Immanuel Baptist Church, Wausau. One of her greatest joys in serving was teaching Sunday school for those ages 3 through adult. Arlene enjoyed travel. Her love for missions took her to Peru, where she worked with Wycliffe Bible Translators for a short term and again made life-long friends. She also traveled abroad touring European countries, and Israel, which was her favorite destination. Arlene will be greatly missed by her family and dear friends.
Survivors include her sister, Nancy Gusman (Ron Nimmer), Florida; sister-in-law, Jessie Gusman, Wisconsin; nieces, Renee (Jim) Kermath, California, Patti (Kevin) Mortland, Minnesota, Christine Gusman-Ciesla, Wisconsin; great-nieces, Lindsay (Michael) Azarbod and Hannah Mortland, both of Iowa; great-nephew, Andrew Mortland, Minnesota.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Edsel Gusman, nephew, Christopher Ciecla and dear friends.
Memorial services will be 1 p.m. Friday, July 13, 2018, at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau. Pastor Rob Love will officiate. Visitation will be Friday from 11 a.m. until the time of services all at the Sixth Street funeral home.
Family and close friends are grateful for the kind and compassionate care of Arlene while at Pride TLC and during care provided by Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.
Ramona Flees
Ramona A. Flees, 88, Schofield, died Friday, July 6, 2018, at Rennes Health and Rehab, Weston.
She was born March 27, 1930, in Milladore, daughter of the late Charles and Rose (Younger) Mancl. On June 29, 1953, she married Edwin Flees at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Milladore. He preceded her in death April 26, 2007.
Ramona was a homemaker for most of her married life. Prior to her marriage she had worked as a grocery store clerk, in child care and at Marathon Electric. She was a member of the Little Flower Council at St. Therese Catholic Church, Rothschild.
Survivors include her children, Myron (Tammie) Flees, Wausau, Rev. Michael (JoEllen) Flees, Portage, Susan (Allan) Mader, Weston, five grandchildren, Daniel (Melissa) Flees, Andrew (Judith) Flees, Joshua Flees, Jenni (Paul) McCaughey, Jami (Nick) Cluts and six great grandchildren. Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by four sisters.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 12, 2018, at St. Therese Catholic Church, Rothschild. Rev. Louis Britto will preside. Entombment will be in the Garden of Eternal Rest Mausoleum, Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Friends may call on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of services at the church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, is in charge of arrangements.
Gerald “Jerry” Laine
Gerald “Jerry” Denis Laine, 79, of Rib Mountain, passed away on Friday, July 6, 2018, after his courageous two-year fight with ALS.
Jerry was born in Montreal, Wisconsin, on July 6, 1939, to the late Wilbur and Hilda (Andersen) Laine. He grew up in Wakefield, Michigan and graduated from Wakefield High School in 1957. Jerry married the love of his life, Mary Ellen Dalbeck, on Sept. 1, 1962, at First Lutheran Church in Wakefield, Michigan. Together, Jerry and Mary raised five children.
Jerry’s hobbies included golfing, hunting, fishing, woodworking, reading and traveling. However, the most important thing to him was his family. He served as a proud Mason, the President of the Finnish-American Club, and he was the first Council President of St. Andrew Lutheran Church. He retired in 2005 from L&S Electric where he worked as a corporate controller. After his retirement, he worked during tax season at Vanden Heuvel CPA firm.
His positive outlook on life lifted everyone’s spirits in even the most difficult times. His selfless attitude and glowing heart inspired many people and managed to change the life of every person he encountered. He will be deeply missed by many who knew him.
Although he wanted his obituary to simply say “Jerry lived and Jerry died,” his life was so much more than that.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Ellen; his children, Renee (Tim) Woller, Derrick (Debra) Laine, Corrine (Bob) Rogers, Amy (Jeff) Zappa, and Becky (Ryan Kenton) Laine; his grandchildren, all of who he was so proud of: Beth (Jesse) Drake, Cory (Stephanie) Woller, Kayla and Ashley Laine, Olivia and Grace Rogers, and Isabella Zappa. He is further survived by his beautiful great-grandchildren, Weston, Braelynn, Zerin, and Mia.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and his twin infant grandsons, Ryan and Jarad Rogers.
A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 11, 2018, at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 3200 N. Mountain Road, Wausau. Rev. Jenn Collins will officiate. Visitation will take place from 9 a.m. until the time of services at the church. Inurnment will take place at Maple Grove Cemetery in the town of Maine.
Jerry’s family wishes to thank all of their friends and family for their love and support through Jerry’s battle with ALS.
Gerald “Jet” Dvorak
Jerry “Jet” Dvorak passed away peacefully with his wife of 56 years and three children by his side.
Jerry was born to the late Rudolph and Lillian Dvorak in Wausau, Wisconsin, on May 30, 1939. Jerry was a graduate of Wausau High School. Jerry was an Army veteran and served in the Military Police. After his service, Jerry performed a variety of jobs — roughnecking in the oil fields of Utah, underground mining and assembling missiles in an underground bunker, to name a few.
Jerry’s true calling came in the form of sales. For over 30 years he performed at an extremely high level and made a friend with all he came in contact with. At 58, Jerry retired and enjoyed his winters with Corky at their Bradenton Beach Florida home. He loved to laugh and make others laugh. He especially loved live music, camping, his hunting cabin, spending time with family and friends, a cold Huber Bock beer and riding is Harley.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Corky, brothers, Ken Dvorak (Fran), Jim (Maggie) Dvorak. Three children, Mike Dvorak – Belize, Dusty (Jenny) Dvorak – Schofield and Kim Kohlbeck (Bryan Berens) – Rothschild. Grandchildren, DJ (Katie) Dvorak, Rudy Dvorak, Zack Dvorak, Teagan Kohlbeck, Casey Woller, Kierra Kohlbeck, Hannah Mullins. Son-in-law, Mike Kohlbeck. Great grandchildren, Jack, Mackenna, Avah, Cash and Valerie along with several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Ronnie and sister-in-law Peggy Dvorak.
Our family would like to give special thanks to the Copper Leaf Memory Care staff and Aspirus Hospice services. The care our dad was given was outstanding and appreciated.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made on behalf of Jerry to Big Brothers Big Sisters.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, July 12, 2018, at John J. Buettgen Funeral Home, 948 Grand Ave., Schofield. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. until time of service at 3 p.m., with Military Honors to follow.
Alvin Kielman
Alvin L. Kielman, 94, of Mattoon passed away on Friday, July 6, 2018, at Rosemary Manor in Mattoon under the care of LeRoyer Hospice, Antigo.
He was born on April 28, 1924, in the town of Almon, the son of the late Charles and Amanda (Kortbein) Kielman. On Feb. 19, 1949, he married Lois Maahs at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Wittenberg. She survives.
Alvin was a World War II veteran, having served his country in the U.S. Army. He loved playing baseball, hunting, fishing and watching the Cubs.
Survivors include his wife, Lois Kielman, of Mattoon; six children, Kay Kielman, of Mattoon, Jeff (Cindy) Kielman, of Phlox, Peggy (Jim) Zahn, of Mattoon, Pam (Donnie Galloway) Brenden, of Milwaukee, Todd (Terri) Kielman, of Birnamwood, and Scott (Samantha Styczynski) Kielman, of Birnamwood; eight grandchildren, Lisa (Tim) May, of Weston, Trisha (Bob) Heyman, of Weston, Jason Kielman, of Phlox, Kimberly (Dan) Rector, of Antigo, Ryan (McKinzey Schultz) Zahn, of Birnamwood, Matt (Sarah) Brenden, of Verona, Nicole and Casey Kielman of Birnamwood; and 15 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and all 10 of his siblings.
A celebration of his life will be held at a future date.
Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Birnamwood, is assisting the family with arrangements.
The family would like to thank his special niece, Beverly (John) Murphy, the staff of Rosemary Manor, LeRoyer Hospice and Rev. Bertsch for all of their care during this difficult time.
