Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Kenneth Straub
Kenneth A. Straub, 90, Rothschild, died Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services at Mount View Care Center, South Shore, Wausau.
He was born Feb. 27, 1928, in Edgar, son of the late Benno and Leona (Wagner) Straub. On Aug. 22, 1951, he married Betty Bohmann at St. John Catholic Church, Edgar. She survives.
Ken served his country in the United States Army from 1950-1952 stationed in Germany and was proud to have gone on the Honor Flight. Ken worked as a real estate agent for Williams Realty of Wausau and prior to this he worked for many years at Retail Credit Co., now known as Equifax. After retiring in 1999, Ken worked part-time jobs at Maple Ridge Farms, Buska and Buska Insurance and Straub Construction. In his younger years, he enjoyed golfing, fishing, waterskiing and traveling. More recently he enjoyed walking, doing yardwork and visiting with the neighbors.
Survivors include his wife, Betty Straub; three sons, Dr. Jeffrey (Holly) Straub, Dr. Randall (Jennifer) Straub and Joel (Sandra) Straub; five grandchildren, Sara (Paul) Tubbs, Dr. Leah (Kevin) Rehl, Kathryn (Bryan) Huffman, Benjamin (Kaityln) Straub and Brandon (fiancé Andrea) Straub; two great-granchildren, Emma Tubbs and Guiliana Tubbs; many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Todd, sister, Lucille Drumn and brothers, Howard, Orville, Norman and Glen.
The memorial Mass was celebrated at noon on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018 at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, Rothschild. The Very Rev. Allan L. Slowiak presided. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery at a later date. Visitation was held Monday at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, Rothschild.
The family wishes to extend their sincere appreciation to all the medical staff, neighbors and friends for all they have done over the years, whether it be a helpful hand, kind word or compassionate care given.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial is being established.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Arthur Bialkowsky
Arthur John Bialkowsky, 88, Wausau, died Monday, Sept. 3, 2018, at his home.
Arthur was born Jan. 7, 1930, in Richfield to the late Arthur Edward and Blanche Angelica (Meier) Bialkowsky. He graduated from Abbotsford High School. Arthur honorably served his county in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War (January 1951 – November 1954) attaining the rank of Corporal and earning the Purple Heart with two gold stars for wounds received. He married Norma Ethel McCarthy in 1961, the couple later divorced but remained close friends. Arthur worked for GTE and Verizon for 50 years as a lineman and supervisor.
Arthur was a good father who dearly loved his daughters. He was always there for Angela and was her unfailing rock of support. Arthur loved to spoil his grandchildren, especially during the holidays. In his free time, he enjoyed reading, watching car racing and woodworking.
Arthur is survived by his daughter, Angela Meyer of Wausau; grandchildren, Matthew R. Meyer of Milwaukee, Zachary S. Meyer, Justin E. Meyer, Samantha Rae Keen, Nathaniel Schwantes and Amanda Oleson all of Wausau; son-in-law, Todd Schwantes of Wausau; nephew, Douglas Glur; dear friends, Gary and Cherie Filber of Wausau; and extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by his former wife, Norma Bialkowsky; daughter, Amy Ellen Schwantes; sisters, Jorgene (John) Glur and Rose Bialkowsky.
The memorial service for Arthur will at noon on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, at Helke Funeral Home, Wausau. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home on Saturday. Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements; you may sign our family guestbook at helke.com.
Ernest “Ernie” Kleman
Ernest “Ernie” H. Kleman, 94, formerly of Bevent passed away on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, at Copperleaf Memory Care in Schofield, under the care of Interim Hospice and Palliative Care, Wausau.
He was born on Jan. 13, 1924, in the town of Reid, the son of the late Steve and Lucy (Staszak) Kleman. On Nov. 10, 1945, he married Agnes Kurszewski in Bevent. She preceded him in death on July 13, 1999.
Ernie was a dairy farmer and also grew potatoes and oats. He retired from Marmet Corp. in 1990. He also drove a school bus for Rosholt School District for 10 years. He enjoyed deer hunting, Nascar and traveling. Ernie really enjoyed his retirement.
Survivors include his five children, Joyce (Vernon) Borth of Wisconsin Rapids, Elroy (Fran) Kleman, Deborah (Larry) Ganski, Michael (Janice) Kleman, and Dennis (Joan) Kleman, all of Bevent; 10 grandchildren, Scott (Esther) Borth of Germantown, Betty (Jeff) Camlin of West Bend, Amber (Tim) Post of Neenah, Marie (Mike) Manteuffel of Silver Spring, MD, Renae (Ben) Hemken of Menomonee Falls, Julie (Brett) Peters of Wausau, Jennifer Kislow of Weston, Sarah (Mark) Lynch of Bevent, Michelle (Mike) Mueller of Windsor, WI, and Rachel (Dan) Sarandos of Franklin; 15 great-grandchildren, Abby, Samantha, Sean, Maya, Jacob, Micah, Amelia, Owen, Sawyer, Calvin, Mason, Ashley, Anna, Gianna, and Maxwell; two sisters, Marcella Ciszewski of Greendale, and Cecelia Kurszewski of Stevens Point.
He was preceded in death by his wife Agnes, his siblings, Alfred Kleman, Mary Hinner, Jan Disher, and Bernice Rutkowski, and his granddaughter’s husband, Thomas Kislow.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, Sept. 14, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Ladislaus Catholic Church in Bevent. Fr. Augustine Bentil will officiate. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be at the church from 4 until 7 p.m. on Thursday, with a rosary service held at 6:30 p.m.. Visitation will also be held from 9 a.m. until the time of Mass on Friday, all at the church.
Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Wittenberg is assisting the family with arrangements.
Memories and condolences may be shared at schmidtschulta.com or on Facebook at Schmidt & Schulta.
The family would like to thank Copperleaf Memory Care and Interim Hospice for their care.
Gloria Madson
Gloria H. Madson, a88, formerly of Elderon passed away on Friday, Sept. 7, 2018, at the home of her daughter while under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services, Wausau.
She was born in Rib Lake, Wisconsin, on March 8, 1930, the daughter of the late Bernard and Hannah (Danielson) Swanson. On Dec. 3, 1949, she married Jonathan Phillip Madson in Yuma, Arizona. He preceded her in death on June 16, 2004.
Gloria held many jobs over the years, including owning and operating the Parkway Drive-In in Elderon, and the Elderon Hardware Store. he was very involved in both local, state and national political endeavors and served as the Elderon Village Clerk. She was a very independent woman, who was unafraid to take on many tasks all while raising her six children, often while her husband was at sea, serving with the United States Navy, Submarine Service.
Survivors include five children, Kristi (Ron) Sims, Colorado Springs, Lydia (Rick) Kile, Loveland, Colorado, Marya (David) Thorpe, Aniwa, Karren (Andrew Schmich) Madson, Lafayette, Colorado, Elvin Madson, Elderon; seven grandchildren, Uriah (Terra) Bennett, Tucson, Arizona, Ian Kile, Loveland, Colorado, Sean Madson, Wittenberg, Erica (Quinten) Thorpe-Gottung, Weston, Anders Schmich, Olivia Schmich, both of Lafayette, Colorado, and Jonathan Tullberg, Elderon; and two great-grandchildren, Merrick Bennett and Orion Gottung.
In addition to her parents and husband Jonathon, she was further preceded in death by a daughter Kathlyn Madson, and all four of her siblings.
In accordance to her wishes, there will be no service held.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services, Wausau, as her family was very grateful for the care they provided to Gloria over her final year, or what Gloria would have liked most is for you to simply reach out and help someone in need.
The family would like to thank the Wisconsin Public Library Service of Marathon County Homebound Service, which brought the joy of movies and books to Gloria.
