Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home & Cremation Center, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Robert “Bob” Abel
Robert “Bob” Abel, 65, of Wausau passed away on Aug. 2, 2018. He was the son of the late Henry and Marion (Gehrman) Abel and the father of Sara Jo (Heiser) Debroka and Bobbie Jo Heiser-Abel and grandfather of Ruby Debroka. He was married to Amy Jo Heiser in 1988, they later separated but remained friends.
Bob was an aspiring Bigfoot hunter and UFO enthusiast. More seriously, he was a loving father, great friend and all around wise guy. He loved watching the Green Bay Packers, old cars and making dad jokes. Bob enjoyed spending time with his friends at the Downtown Mission Church in Wausau.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Leon Abel, infant brother William Abel, and niece Adria Abel. He is survived by his daughters Sara Jo (John) and Bobbie Jo, his granddaughter Ruby, his brother James (Carey) Abel and nephews.
Service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, at Downtown Mission Church, 310 N. Fourth St., Wausau, Wisconsin, at 11 a.m., with food to follow. Remembrances may be made in the form desired by friends.
Adam Rietz
Adam Lee Rietz, 49, Athens, died Saturday, Augu. 4, 2018 in Oneida County. Adam was born Sept. 10, 1968, to Gary and Janice (Strunk) Rietz in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Besides his parents, he is survived by the love of his life and soulmate, Brenda Reiche and her family; his paternal grandmother, Lorna Rietz; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018, at the Athens Community Hall. Family and friends may call from noon until the time of service at the Community Hall. Rev. Gary Lodholz will officiate.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens is in charge of the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for a donation to the Athenian Living Endowment Fund.
Hazel Schultz
Hazel E. Schultz, 97, Little Chicago, died Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018, at her home.
She was born March 26, 1921, in Rib Falls, daughter of the late Fred and Ida (Ohde) Schultz. For many years, Hazel enjoyed bartending at local taverns, where she made many good friends. She was a member of the Zion Lutheran Ladies Aid and enjoyed playing cards, darts and baking. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family and friends.
Survivors include, three children, Georgiana (Richard) Wood, Marathon, Glen (Joyce) Hoeppner, Schofield, and Lee (Donna) Hoeppner, Merrill; 10 grandchildren, Terry (Amy) Wood, Robin (Todd) Mitchell, Scott (Coretta) Jahnke, Craig (Annette) Jahnke, Chad (Courtney) Hoeppner, Christopher (Jennifer) Hoeppner, Clint (Korey) Hoeppner, Rachel, Rylee and Callen Hoeppner; 13 great-grandchildren, Austin, Mikaela, Zach, Miranda, Trevor, Jennica, Cole, Cambrie, Caylor, Kierra, Caiden, Andrew and Ella; one brother, Allen (Bev) Schultz, Wausau; one sister, Geraldine (Bernell) Radke, Wausau; and many nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Betty Jane Hoeppner; her daughter, Carol Jean Jahnke; her son, Ronald Hoeppner; four brothers and three sisters.
Funeral services will be at noon on Friday, Aug. 10, 2018, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2214 Highway 107, Marathon (town of Rib Falls). Rev. Terry Reich will officiate. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Visitation will be on Friday from 9 a.m. until time of services at the church.
Memorials may be directed to Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Avenue, Wausau is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
James Lecher
James Lecher, 79, Wausau, passed away on Aug. 2, 2018. He was born to Nicholas and Theresa (Wirl) Lecher on Nov. 26, 1938.
He is survived by two sons Nick Lecher, St. Germain, Ken Lecher, Wausau, daughter Vickie (Terry) Kasten, Wausau, daughter-in-law Sue Lecher, sister Lois (Lee) Lecher-Olson, his grandchildren, great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Sharo,n who passed on Oct. 5, 2015, two sons Rick Lecher, Tom Lecher and daughter-in-law Lynn Lecher.
James loved to ride his Harley, go to carnivals and take his chances at the casino.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, with a visitation at 10 a.m. and service at 11 a.m. at Forest Hill Mausoleum, 631 Spring St., Wisconsin Rapids. Rev. Bob Thorn will officiate.
John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting family at this time. On line condolences can be expressed at www.HonorOne.com.
Shelby Schmitz
Shelby J. Schmitz of McMillin, Wisconsin, passed away on Aug. 2, 2018, at Three Oaks Nursing Home.
She was born to the late Earl and Gladyes (Rossow) Plaman on Feb. 17, 1938, in Withee, Wisconsin. She later moved to Milwaukee and attended Custer High School. After graduating, she moved up north to Phillips and worked at Harbor Resort, which was owned by her mom and dad. She met Ronald Schmitz and married him on March 25, 1961. Together they raised two children. They settled in Stratford and worked for the canning company and Figis.
She is survived by her husband, Ronald, of 57 years, daughter, Lynn, and son, Jim, four grandchildren, Gloria, Kenny Dolly, Heather, Steven Earl, along with seven grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, Aug. 10, 2018, at Zion Lutheran Church 700 N. Second Ave., Stratford. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m. with Pastor Sue Eidahl officiating.
Burial will be at the Lynn Cemetery.
John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting the family at this time. Online condolences can be expressed at www.HonorOne.com.
