Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Blair Chapin
Blair Scott Chapin, 36, of Englewood, Colorado, passed away earlier this year on May 22, 2018. Blair was born April 15, 1982, in St. Paul, Minnesota, and graduated from Monzano High School in Albuquerque in May, 2000. Throughout his younger years, Blair enjoyed computing, skiing, acting and playing bass for several years with the Albuquerque Youth Symphony. Upon graduation from high school, he enrolled in, and began, a six-year career in the United States Air Force, first serving as an F-16 crew chief at Misawa AFB, Japan, and later as a flight test liaison with the 586th Flight Test Squadron at Holloman AFB, New Mexico. There, he managed data from and maintained weapons system missiles and aircraft.
All throughout his service to our country, Blair continued his education through the Community College of the Air Force, majoring in aircraft maintenance and mechanics, and while at Holloman, achieved the rank of staff sergeant. Upon leaving the USAF, Blair took time off to backpack through Europe, and then continued his education at the University of Colorado, where he graduated in 2010 with majors in geography and environmental science. During his time at CU, he continued to serve our country, working for Veteran’s Services at the University, assisting fellow veterans in their efforts to receive military benefits while attending college.
His education continued as a graduate of the Acuitus IT training course, where he learned advanced problem-solving and troubleshooting skills. Upon graduation, he began a career as a software support analyst at Teledyne Technologies, where he provided software support both via telephone and on-site. Skilled in Windows and Linux computer systems, he was also proficient in the Apple software, being an Apple certified associate. He loved computers, video gaming, collecting vinyl records, travel and was a member of UCD Veterans Student Organization, American Legion Post 1-Denver and Disabled American Veterans.
He is survived by his parents, Susan and Scott Chapin, formerly of Wausau; brother Brent (Patty) Chapin, Denver, Colorado; sister Elizabeth (Christopher) Hetherington, Long Beach, California; grandfather Ken Chapin, formerly of Wausau, aunts and uncles Scott and Cathleen Jacobson of Wausau, Jim and Becky Chapin of Waco, Texas; cousins Kelly Jacobson of Wausau, Troy Jacobson of Mineral Point, and Jayme (Frank) Ramirez of Waco, Texas. He is preceded in death by his grandparents Betty Chapin of Fond du Lac, and Donald and Joyce Simonson of Wausau.
A full military honors funeral service will be held at noon on Saturday, Sept. 29 at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, 1915 Grand Ave., Wausau, Wisconsin, with burial to follow. The family asks that in lieu of any cards or flowers, donations can be made in Blair’s name to The Gary Sinise Foundation, online at www.garysinisefoundation.org.
Helen Sladky
Helen F. Sladky, 95, Wausau, passed away on Sept. 6, 2018, at Benedictine Living Community of Wausau.
She was born July 30, 1923, to the late Martin and Theresa (Razchacek) Sladky in Wausau.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 8 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018, at St. Mary’s Oratory, 325 Grand Ave., Wausau, Wisconsin 54403. Interment to follow at Pine Grove Cemetery.
Brainard Funeral Home – Everest Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Share online condolences at www.brainardfuneral.com.
Mary Helen Haines
Mary Helen Haines, 87, of Athens passed away on Sept. 4, 2018, after a long battle with corticobasal ganglionic degeneration, a rare progressive neurological disorder involving the cerebral cortex and basal ganglia. She passed away peacefully with her family by her side.
Mary Helen was born in Chicago, Illinois, on Feb. 23, 1931, to the late Ross B. and Mary Kathryne (Ramsay) Wynne. She lost her father to leukemia at the age of 3. She attended Iowa State University where she met her future husband, Mike Haines, her freshman year. In their sophomore year, Mike transferred back to New York and they maintained a long-distance relationship. Following Mary Helen’s graduation in June of 1952, they married on Aug. 23, 1952. They moved to Ithaca, New York, where Mike attended Veterinary School at Cornell University. Mary Helen worked at Cornell University in the Agricultural Economics department to support the family. They had their first child, Betsy Jo, May 1956, in Ithaca. Upon Mike’s graduation, they selected Marathon County to start a veterinary practice. Marathon County, at that time, had the largest population of dairy cattle in the United States, and Marathon City was in need of a veterinarian. Upon arrival to Marathon City, they heard that Athens was also in need of a veterinarian, so they visited Athens also. When they arrived in Athens, they both fell in love with the town and its gazebo because it reminded them of the small towns in upstate New York. John practiced veterinary medicine and Mary Helen managed the office. They had three additional children: Jeffrey Ross, Kathy Wynne and Jacqueline Beaudry.
Mary Helen, a lifelong Girl Scout, was a leader in the local troop and took on additional leadership roles, working her way up to president of the Birch Trail Council. She also taught Sunday school at United Church of Christ and was active in the church. In 1987, she retired from the veterinary practice; however, remained active in the community, winning election to the Athens Village Board and Serving as the police commissioner. Mary Helen enjoyed her retirement with her husband- traveling throughout the states, visiting family and friends. They routinely spent time on Dauphin Island, Mississippi, where Mary Helen continued her love of birdwatching. In 2001, her husband passed away and Mary Helen persevered with her Girl Scout work and Sunday school lessons. She was diagnosed with a rare progressive neurological disorder in 2008 that required her to need additional care. In 2011, the disease progressed, and she moved to Colonial Manor in Colby. In her last years of life, she still enjoyed the birds, perennial gardens, a nice car ride viewing the beautiful Wisconsin countryside, a good book and her family and friends.
Mary Helen is preceded in death by her husband, John Haines and daughter, Betsy Jo Schneider. She is survived by her children, Jeffrey Ross (Lori) Haines, Athens; Kathy W Haines (Jeff Puhl), St. Cloud, Minnesota; and Jacqueline B (Glenn) Oleson, Abbotsford. She is further survived by six grandchildren, Jeremy (Renee) Haines, Athens; Melanie (Troy) Ellenbecker, Edgar; Jonathon Haines, Athens; Jeffrey R. Haines II, Athens; Christina-John Schaetzl; Chilton, Wisconsin; and Nicole-Mary Schaetzl, Urbana, Illinois, and nine great-grandchildren, Eric Tischauser, Parker Tischauser, Drew Haines, Damien Haines, Alonna Haines Gavin Haines, Athens; Dakota Ellenbecker, Makita Ellenbecker and Naquene Ellenbecker, Edgar.
Funeral services will be Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, at 11 a.m. at Christ United Church, 712 Pine St., Athens. The Rev. Terri Hanson will officiate. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Girls Scouts of Northwestern Great Lakes.
The family would like to especially thank the staff at Colonial Manor and St. Croix Hospice for their loving care and assistance.
To share memories and condolences with Mary Helen’s family, visit www.brainardfuneral.com.
On Monday, Sept. 10, 2018, Glenn A. Krueger passed away peacefully at the Aspirus Hospice at the age of 74.
He was born Jan. 21, 1944, to Wilmer and Myrtle (Haelfrisch) Krueger in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. He was the middle child of the five boys his parents had. His is survived by his wife, Mary (Koch) Endres, who he married on Sept. 5, 1980, and their daughter, Miranda (Chris) Koeppl. They had just spent their 38th wedding anniversary together.
Glenn was a lifelong truck driver which is how he met Mary. He loved to drive semi, giving him the opportunity to meet many new people and make friends. It seemed as though no matter where Glenn went, he would run into someone he knew.
Glenn will be remembered for so many different reasons. He loved to snowmobile, motorcycle, play golf, go to the cabin and tell goofy jokes, often forgetting the punch line. He also loved to “play” the spoons, play cards and have a drink of Kessler and a beer. Glenn was always a busy-body, finally retiring in 2016. He had to keep going and would only sit to watch the evening news. Otherwise, he kept occupied by cutting the lawn, cutting wood and various other tasks. But most of all, he will be remembered for his love of family.
He is also survived by his two older daughters, Tracey (Tim) Karlen of Edgar, Lisa Lemke of Hatley; eight grandchildren; four brothers, Gene, Jerome (Germaine), Howard (Lois), and Kenneth (Barbara), all of Manitowoc; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister-in-law, Mary Jo (Mauer) Krueger; niece, Kimberly Krueger; parents-in-law, Albert and Marcella (Kruchten) Koch.
Glenn never wanted anything fancy, so a gathering will be held at the Marathon City Village Hall in Marathon on Friday, Sept. 14, from 5 p.m. to 8 pm. It will be a time to talk and simply share memories of Glenn. His ashes will be spread at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations will be made in his name. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Joan “Joanie” Boers
Joan “Joanie” M. Boers, 66, died Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, under the care of Ministry Home Care Hospice at her home.
She was born April 8, 1952, in Antigo, daughter of the late Joseph and Margaret (Simon) Wildman. On May 20, 1972, she married Richard Boers in Antigo. He survives.
Survivors include her husband, Richard; children, Scott (Teri) Wausau, and Lori Boers, Orfordville; grandchildren, Noah, Sahara, Elle, Amaya and Mara; sisters, Sandy Robrecht, Antigo, Beverly (Paul) Wurtinger, Antigo, Janet Novy, Kaukauna, Kay (John) Quinlan, Antigo, and Linda (Phil) Darr, Birnamwood; brothers-in-law, Robert (Ruth), Wausau, Jack (Della), Antigo; sister-in-law, Patricia Boers, Antigo, and many nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers-in-law, James Robrecht, Thomas Novy and Ronald Boers, and in-laws Lawrence and Dorothy Boers.
Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Wausau. Visitation will be Thursday from 9 a.m. until the time of services at Trinity Lutheran Church, Wausau.
Louis Korbisch
Louis ‘Andy’ Korbisch, 59, of Wausau died unexpectedly on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018.
He was born on Nov. 7, 1958, in Antigo, the son of the late Joseph and Lorraine (Hable) Korbisch. Louis was a 1977 graduate of WB High School and was a U.S. Army Veteran attaining the rank of drill sargent first class.
He was currently employed at MBX of Wausau and had previously been employed at Kraft Foods of Wausau and F&S of Antigo. Louis loved the outdoors especially taking long walks, riding his bicycle and deer hunting. He was an avid Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers and Wisconsin Badgers fan. He also like the occasional trip to the casino. Louis loved spending time with his family and cherished visits with his grandchildren.
Louis is survived by his children, Louis (Michelle) Korbisch Jr. of Weatherford, Texas, and Logan Korbisch of Bonduel; two grandchildren, Louis Korbisch III and Warren Korbisch; three sisters, Judy (Kim) Berger of Mattoon and Katie (Terry) Waldvogel and Donna (Brian) Wakefield, all of Birnamwood; eight brothers, Ron (Sue) Korbisch of Appleton, Harry (Sue) Korbisch of Birnamwood, Steven Korbisch of Lafe, Arkansas, John (Elsie) Korbisch of Slinger and Leo (Debra) Korbisch, Gerhardt (significant other, Trevi) Korbisch, Raymond (Tracy) Korbisch and Tony (Theresa) Korbisch all of Birnamwood; sister-in-law, Donna Korbisch of the town of Elderon; former wife, Lori (Schmit) Beilke of Mattoon and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Louis was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Edward and Joseph.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018, at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Aniwa. Father Vicente Llagas will officiate. Burial will be in the parish cemetery with military rites conducted by the Darling-Gunderson Post #341, Birnamwood. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Birnamwood. Visitation will continue at the church on Thursday from 9 a.m. until the time of Mass.
Memories and condolences may be shared at schmidtschulta.com or at Schmidt and Schulta Funeral Home on Facebook.
