Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home & Cremation Center, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Louise Hayes Schultz
Louise Hayes Schultz (Garske), 95, passed away peacefully with family by her side.
She was born to the late Theresa and Louis Garske in Wausau, Wisconsin.
Louise was a life-long and active member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Wausau, where she was a member of the Mother’s Club. She was also a member of the Quarter Century Club at Wausau Insurance. She volunteered in the community with groups like the Hospital Gift Shop, Wausau Woman’s Club as a past officer, League of Women Voters and the Wisconsin Valley Auxiliary to Shriners Hospital, Twin Cities, as vice chairperson. In her early years, she was a senior class officer at Wausau High School where she was in charge of edit review of the yearbook and school newspaper and an Honored Queen of Job’s Daughters. She also attended University of Wisconsin – Marathon County. Before her retirement, she was a manager of the audit review department at Wausau Insurance.
Louise’s interests and hobbies included bridge, golfing, gardening, traveling, reading, in particular about U.S. and British history, and cross-country skiing. She loved cheering for the Packers, Badgers and Milwaukee Brewers.
Survivors include her daughter, Patti (Aubrey) Fish; son, Michael (Jan) Hayes; grandchildren, Sara (Scott) Martinka, Andy (Kate) Hayes, and Matt Hayes; and great-grandchildren, Jonny, Lainey, Nate, and Bridgett. She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Barbara Louise Hayes; husbands Kenneth Hayes, and Bob Schultz; and siblings, John Garske, Betty Jane Hoffman, Marion Gensmann, and Lorraine Mathwick.
Funeral Service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 426 Washington St., Wausau, WI 54403. Rev. Dr. Philip C. Schneider will officiate. Visitation will be held from 12:30 p.m. until the time of service at the church. Interment will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to St. Paul’s Sunday School Program or the Marathon County Public Library.
Brainard Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.brainardfuneral.com.
Debra Fochs
Debra Jean Fochs, 63, Wausau, died at home surrounded by family and under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.
Debra was born Aug. 12, 1955, in Wausau to the late Gordon and Betty Schlueter.
She married Joseph G. Fochs on May 20, 1981, and had 32 wonderful years with Joseph before he passed away in May of 2013. Together, they enjoyed regular casino trips, going for rides, exploring regional restaurants, spending time with family, especially her grandchildren, and a good game of sheepshead with family during the holidays.
Debra worked in the factory at Green Bay Packaging for 37 years until her retirement in August 2017. She and Joseph also owned and managed multiple rental units and a few small businesses in the Wausau area. She retired from her title of landlord in July 2018.
Debra was a hard worker. She never liked to leave anything unfinished and was determined to leave her family and friends knowing how much she loved them. She was able to accomplish this goal.
Debra is survived by her children, Teri (Wally) Kaminski; Anna (Erik) Alanko; Susan (Phil) Luce, Linda (Bob) Berna; and Joseph (Rosann) Fochs. Siblings: Donald (Bonnie) Schlueter, Dawn (Gary) Merriam, Susan Lewitzke, Donna Mantz, Peggy (Tim) Tessmer. Sister-in-law Lana Schlueter. Many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by a grandchild, Brandon Fochs; sons-in-law, Jason Borneman and Joseph Martell; brother, Ronald Schlueter; brothers in-law, Dean Lewitzke and Don Mantz; great grandson, Spencer Martell and several close friends.
The Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, at First English Lutheran Church, 402 N. Third Ave., Wausau, Wisconsin. Pastor Eric Olson will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 29, at First English Lutheran Church and again from 10 a.m. until the time of service at First English. Memorial donations may be directed to the family or to Camp Luther, 1889 Koubenec Road, Three Lakes, WI 54562.
Betty Widuch
Betty Ruth Widuch, 95, passed away Aug. 23, 2018, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born Sept. 21, 1922, to the late Lawrence and Ruth (Franklin) Roskom in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Betty was a kind, gentle and loving individual. She focused on caring for her family and spending time with them. She enjoyed the simple things in life, whether she was at the cottage built by her husband in Crivitz, vacationing with her family or just taking a ride in the car. She will be greatly missed by all the lives she touched.
Betty is survived by her daughter, Crystal (Roger) Pittman of Weston, as well as three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, and husband Walter.
Family services are being held. Brainard Funeral Home – Everest Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.brainardfuneral.com.
Joyce Scheffler
Joyce L. Scheffler, 85, of Wausau passed peacefully on Monday, Aug. 20, 2018, at Mount View Care Center with family at her side.
Joyce was born on March 26, 1933, in Wausau to the late Frank and Erna (Luedtke) Stuplich. Joyce married the light of her life Kenneth Scheffler on Feb. 7, 1953, in Wausau. Together they celebrated 65 years of marriage.
Joyce was devoted to family and friends. She kept us laughing and had a natural ability to see the lighter side of life. She will be remembered for her charity and her watchful eye for children in need. Joyce lived a life of service and generosity, spreading seeds of love and laughter along her path.
Survivors include her husband, Kenneth Scheffler; daughter, Candace Schneider; grandson,Timothy (Tara) Schneider; and great-grandsons, Finley and Boden Schneider.
A gathering of family and friends will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018, at First United Methodist Church, 903 Third St., Wausau, from 1 p.m. until 2:00 p.m., with a celebration service at 2 p.m. in the chapel. Rev. Jayneann McIntosh will officiate. To honor Joyce’s love of sweets, a dessert and coffee social will follow.
The family wishes to thank the loving staff of Evergreen at Mount View Care Center. We can say with certainty, there truly are angels among us.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Lawrence Achenreiner
Lawrence A. Achenreiner, 87, Weston, died Friday, Aug. 24, 2018, at Ascension St. Clare’s Hospital, Weston. Lawrence was born April 23, 1931, to the late Andrew and Gertrude (Netzinger) Achenreiner in Wausau. He married Dolores Szalewski on May 15, 1954.
Lawrence was formerly employed with Wergin Construction for many years. He was an outstanding carpenter and used those skills to build furniture, oftentimes for the children. Being athletic and active started at Birnamwood High School where he “lettered” in all available sports. He scored the first touchdown when Birnamwood first started football program. He served his country honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps. With a wonderful sense of humor, he approached life, enjoying the love of his wife and family. Lawrence loved being outdoors whenever he could, playing golf and building memories. He will be deeply missed.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Dolores; their children, Lori (David) Jeannette, Indianapolis, Indiana, and Larry (Gwen) Achenreiner, Onalaska; seven grandchildren, Andy, Josh and Alyssa Achenreiner, Kristin (Charlie) Lawrence, Indianapolis, Indiana, Courtney (Dave) Lynch, Janesville, Brandon and Ryan (Rachel) Young; three great-grandchildren, Aiden, Peyton and Kenzie; and his sister, Karen (Dave) Zoromski. He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Linda and his sister, Shirley Kell.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2018, at St. Therese Catholic Church, Rothschild. Rev. Louis Britto will preside. Entombment will be at Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Family and friends may call from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Wausau, is in charge of the arrangements.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Adeline Houf
Adeline “Addie” F. Houf, 92, Schofield, died Friday, Aug. 24, 2018, under the care of Ministry Hospice at Cedar Ridge Elder Services, Schofield.
She was born March 11, 1926, in the town of Rietbrock, daughter of the late Walter and Mary (Socha) Mroczenski. On Oct. 20, 1948, she married Stanley Houf at Holy Family Catholic Church, Poniatowski. He preceded her in death on Oct. 31, 1999.
Adeline worked at the former Pauly Cheese for more than 18 years until her retirement. Some of her favorite pastimes included an occasional trip to the casino, gathering with her family, bowling, playing cards and scrabble, attending church picnics and dancing. Adeline was a member of Holy Name Catholic Church, St. Catherine’s Council and Ministry of Praise.
Adeline and Stanley loved to go camping, square dancing and traveling. They enjoyed many trips to see their daughters in Texas, California, Virginia, North Carolina, Turkey, Italy, Czech Republic and Poland.
Survivors include her children, Donna (William) Murphy, Rapidan, Virgina, Denise (Gary) Lore, Stafford, Virginia, Butch Houf, Soddy Daisy, Tennessee, Danette (Mike) Lussmyer, Nekoosa and Douglas (Patti) Houf, Wittenberg, five grandchildren, Jason (Gina) Lore, Melanie (Jerry) LeBlanc, Sara (Matt) Stolze, Erin Lautenbach and Kenyaletta Johnson, eight great grandchildren, Dustin, Lucas and Zoey LeBlanc, Abigail and Charlotte Stolze and Bailey, Peyton and Addi Lautenbach, her step grandchildren, Connie Lahr, Hoa Nguyen, Kelly Murphy, Bill Murphy and Meg Cook, one sister, Theresa (Donald) Torner, Cudahy and one sister-in-law, Adalyne Osterbrink, Wausau.
Besides her parents and husband she was preceded in death by her siblings, Lucy Matysik, infant Leona Mroczenski, Clara Wirkus, Florian Mroczenski, Mary Ann Westphal, Edward Mroczenski and Dennis Mroczenski, her grandchildren, Amy Lore, Shawn Houf, her great granddaughter, Elle Lautenbach and her godson, Jerry Matysik.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 29, 201,8 at The Church of the Holy Name of Jesus, Wausau. The Rev. Peter Kieffer will preside. Burial will be in Holy Family Catholic Cemetery, Poniatowski. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Ave., Wausau and again on Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church. There will be a parish rosary service at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday evening at the Stewart Avenue funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com
The family wishes to thank Dr. Whittaker, Marty and Paula and all the staff with Cedar Ridge Elder Services and Ministry Hospice for the care and loving attention you all gave our mom.
