Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Carol Paszek
Carol M. Paszek of Weston died on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018.
Carol was born on Aug. 29, 1964, in Wausau to Thomas and Gertrude (Meyer) Krueger. She married Gordon Paszek. She and Gordy enjoyed motorcycle rides and dancing to oldies music together.
Carol will be remembered as a smart aleck with a quick wit. She loved her family and did everything and anything she could for her grandchildren.
Carol is survived by her husband, Gordy; children Blaine Paszek, Allen Paszek, Ronald Paszek and Tami Paszek; mother Gertrude Krueger; brother Guy Krueger; and several grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her father, Thomas Krueger.
Memorial Service will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 21, 2018, at Brainard Funeral Home-Everest Chapel, 5712 Memorial Court, Weston. Pastor Wes Jedras will officiate. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be given at www.brainardfuneral.com.
Marie Scheffler
Marie Dena (Suwyn) Scheffler, 90, Wausau, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Sept. 12, 2018, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
She was born in Birnamwood, Wisconsin, on Jan. 23,1928, to Isaac and Margaret (Schoenhofen) Suwyn. She married Herman Scheffler Jr. on July 29, 1950. Together they raised six children, and Marie was a loving grandmother to 15 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren.
Surviving family members include two sisters: Joyce (Chuck) Page of Westport, Massachusetts, and Linda (David) Rastl of Birnamwood; brother-in-law Ken Scheffler, Wausau, and brother-in-law Roger (Doris) Scheffler, Wausau; four daughters: Yvonne (David) Schepp, Sandra (August) Koehler, Carol (Lance) Carmichael, Gail (Bertram) Koehler; two sons: James (Mary) Scheffler, and Brian (Roxann) Scheffler, all of Wausau; and her grandchildren: Angie (Rich) Metzler, Junction City; Jason Koehler, Wausau; Wendy Koehler, Merrill; Ben (Joellen) Koehler, Merrill; Chad (Mandy) Schepp, Wausau; Casey (Petra Cervantes), Chicago; Amy (Brian) Merkey, La Crosse; Jennifer (Keith) Samperisi, Wausau; Ryan (Eddie) Thurow, Cedar Falls, IA; Eric Scheffler, Wausau; Sam Scheffler, Madison; Melissa (Jon) Schultz, Bettendorf, IA; James (Amy) Koehler-Killeen, Hudson; Adam (Yvonne) Scheffler, Kaukauna; and Ashley (Aaron) Ninnemann, Wausau. She is also survived by her 36 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her sister, June Buska; and her granddaughter, Stacey Schepp.
Marie grew up in Birnamwood where she attended one-room school houses. Her family moved to Wausau and she attended Wausau High School. Prior to having children, Marie worked at Employers Insurance Company. She loved being a wife, mom, grandmother and homemaker. She loved flowers, watching birds, reading books,and weather watching. She thoroughly enjoyed old movies and RFD TV. She was an active member at St. Peter’s Church, town of Wausau, where she filled many different roles. She was extremely interested in her family genealogy and she worked hard with family members to preserve those memories.
Her family would like to thank her special caregivers, Katie and Jane, the entire staff at Mountain Terrace Assisted Living, Wausau, Dr. Nichols, and all of the wonderful staff on the Palliative Care wing at Aspirus Hospital for their loving care and assistance.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at noon at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in the town of Wausau. A visitation will be held from 8:30 a.m. until the time of service. Following the service, a lunch will be served, and burial at Restlawn Memorial Park, 235962 N. Troy St. Wausau, will follow. Please direct all memorials to St. Peter’s Church.
Brainard Funeral Home – Wausau Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.brainardfuneral.com.
Harlan Lewitzke
Harlan Lewitzke, 89, of Kronenwetter died Wednesday, Sept. 12 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
Harlan was born in Wausau on Sept. 27, 1928. He attended Wausau Senior High School and graduated in 1947. He then attended the University of Wisconsin, and subsequently became a registered “Professional Engineer” in the state of Wisconsin.
Harlan married Yvonne Uecker on Feb. 10, 1951. They were close companions for over 61 years until Vonnie’s unexpected death in June of 2012. Harlan was the father of two sons, Alan and Bradley; the grandfather of two grandsons, Justin Lewitzke and Jeremy Lewitzke; and also the great grandfather of Adalynn and Cayden Lewitzke of Justin and Sammantha Lewitzke and great grandfather of Henry Lewitzke, the son of Jeremy and Lindsey Lewitzke.
When the children were growing up and into their teen years, the family enjoyed many camping trips into northern Wisconsin and throughout the United States. They also enjoyed flying trips as Harlan became an FAA licensed pilot, with single and multiengine land plane, single engine sea plane, glider, and instrument ratings. After the children had grown, Harlan and Vonnie took many flying trips through the United States. During the years, Harlan and his brother took annual spring fishing trips into Canada, which also became family affairs with Harlan’s sons and grandson. Harlan and Vonnie also enjoyed winter trips to the Southern states to get a break from the winters. After not being involved with working full time at L&S Electric, Harlan enjoyed working at his 48 acres of wooded land and in his cabin at which he frequently invited friends for visits.
Harlan’s work included time at Marathon Electric, Marathon Corp. in Rothschild, and also American Can Co. in Wausau. In 1970, Harlan and Vonnie purchased a small company of about six employees from their neighbor, Walter Leverance. This company was known as Leverance Electric, and through various mergers, acquisitions and a great deal of family effort, became L&S Electric, which now has about 12 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, and has an excess of 350 employees. This company is still owned by the Lewitzke family. It was a great joy for Harlan to see the company grow and provide satisfying employment for the workers and their families of the company. And finally for him to see a third generation of Lewitzkes join the company to assure its continuation into the future was a great satisfaction.
Harlan was quite active throughout the years in the local community. He belonged to Wisconsin Valley Supervisors Council, Rotary Club, Taxpayers League, the Wausau mayors Board of Appeals, Wausau Elks Club, Central Wisconsin Professional Engineers, Golden Kiwanis, a director at River Valley Bank, church council member at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, and in 1987 Harlan was selected as Small Business Person of the Year by the Wausau Chamber of Commerce.
Survivors include: two sons Alan and Bradley (Sandy) Lewitzke, two grandsons Justin (Sammantha) Lewitzke and Jeremy (Lindsey) Lewtizke, one great granddaughter Adalynn and great grandson Caden Lewitzke and great grandson Henry Lewitzke; and one brother Wally (Carmel) Lewitzke.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Margaret (Luedtke) Lewitzke, and his wife Yvonne (Uecker) Lewitzke.
Funeral services will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1901 Kowalski Road, Kronenwetter, on Tuesday, Sept. 18 at 11 a.m. Rev. John Czarnota will officiate. Visitation will be held at Brainard Funeral Home – Everest Chapel, 5712 Memorial Court, Weston, on Monday, Sept. 17 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and again on Tuesday, Sept. 18 from 9 a.m. until the time of services.
In lieu of flowers of flowers, Harlan would appreciate funds directed toward Bethlehem Lutheran Church or The Salvation Army.
Marge Mullen
Marge will be fondly remembered for her kindness and the love for her family and friends. She was called to her heavenly home on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, while under the care of Interim Healthcare Hospice.
She was born March 28, 1928, in Athens, daughter of the late Emil and Mary (Albrecht) Johnas. On Oct. 5, 1946, she married Frank Mullen at St. Mary Catholic Church, Wausau. He preceded her in death on April 3, 2007.
Marge was proud of the fact that she was the first part-time employee at the telephone company in Wausau during her senior year in high school. Then she was a door-to-door saleswoman offering quality china and silverware for sale. She later went on to sell cable TV as well.
Marge was also a caregiver to her nephew Jeffrey Johnas for many years. Prior to her retirement, Marge operated a custom drapery and blind business. Some of her favorite pastimes included polka dancing, gardening, sewing, tending to her flowers and baking. She also was well known as an excellent cook.
Survivors include her children, Gail (Chuck) Reynolds, Schofield, Dale Mullen, Weston, three grandchildren, Rick Reynolds, Renee Mullen and Matthew (Kayla Hoffman) Mullen, one great granddaughter, Grace Mullen, her brother, Harvey Johnas, Washington, her brother-in-law, Ray Urmanski, Rib Mountain and her nephew, Craig (Julie) Johnas and their son, Jayden all of Washington.
Besides her parents and husband she was preceded in death by her sister, Millie Urmanski.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 21, 2018, at St. Mark Catholic Church, Rothschild. The Rev. Allan Slowiak will preside. Inurment will be at Memorial Chapel Mausoleum, Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Friends may call on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services, all at the church. In lieu of flowers memorial may be directed to St. Mark Catholic Church. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to all the special people that have taken care of Marge for the past three and a half years.
Terry Rossi
Terry Lee Rossi, 67, of Springfield passed away on Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, at his home.
Terry was born on March 29, 1951, in Wausau, Wisconsin, the son of Valerian (VJ, Larry) and Joyce Derbick Rossi. He married Kate Lemke on May 12, 1973, in Wausau, Wisconsin.
Terry graduated from Newman High School, class of 1969. He started Te-Ro Company in 1978 and had his business for over 40 years. Terry was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, RSES, Lay Marianists, Blessed Sacrament Renew Group, and St. Vincent de Paul Society, Mission Outreach. He loved gardening, fishing, metal artwork and was an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers.
Terry made several mission trips to Haiti, where he shared his talents and knowledge with less fortunate people. These trips influenced and redefined Terry’s path in life.
Terry was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Gary Lee Rossi.
He is survived by his wife, Kate of Springfield; son, Dominic (Meri) Rossi of Springfield; daughter,Elizabeth Rossi of Springfield; grandchildren, Tahara Rossi (special friend, Brandon) and Taylor Rossi; great-granddaughter, Brooklyn Rossi; and siblings, Judy Rossi, Deb Tellekson (Jim), Tim Rossi, Tom Rossi, Mary Nordstrom (Al), and Julie Manning (Jeff).
Celebration of Life: Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau. The celebration gathering will be followed by a prayer service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Monk Botanical Gardens, 518 South Seventh Ave., Wausau, WI 54401, or a charity of your choice.
Kathleen Writz
Kathleen Y. Writz, 94, Athens passed away Monday, Sept. 10, 2018, at Dycora Transitional Health in Abbotsford. Kathleen Yvonne Cooper was born April 6, 1924, in Beechy, Saskatchewan Canada, to the late John and Royce Cooper. She had 10 brothers and sisters. Kathleen was a twin to her brother Kenneth, who died at a young age in Canada.
Kathleen was united in marriage on Sept. 28, 1946, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church to Lawrence Writz of Athens, Wisconsin. She met Lawrence in the war, where she was a laundry operator in the Northwest Engineer Division. She moved with him to Athens where they raised a family of five children. She worked at the Athens Pea Canning factory and cleaned at various area businesses. Later, she worked at Weyerhauser in Marshfield for many years until her retirement.
She was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and a member of the Ladies Auxiliary VFW. Her interests included playing cards, Bingo, sewing and the occasional trip to the casino. In her younger days, she was also on a ladies bowling league. She also loved fishing with her family and watching the Packers.
Kathleen is survived by her five children, Marlene (Jay) Ellenbecker, Sheila (Randy) Scheffler, Kenneth Writz, David (Vicki) Writz, all of Athens and Eugene (Lorna) Writz of Colorado; 13 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She is further survived by a brother and sister-in-law and many nieces and nephews. Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Lawrence and two sons. She is further preceded in death by siblings and in-laws.
A Funeral Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens. Rev. George Graham will preside. Friends may call from 1 p.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Burial will be at the Athens Cemetery.
The family would like to thank the staff at Dycora Transitional Health for the loving care they gave to Kathleen during her stay there.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Mildred Johnson
Mildred M. Johnson, 94, formerly of Wisconsin Rapids passed away peacefully on Sept. 10, 2018, at Waupaca Elder Care in Waupaca, Wisconsin.
A lifetime resident of central Wisconsin, she was born to the late Henry and Lucy (Wenzel) Hintz on Dec. 30, 1923, in Stevens Point. On Sep. 19, 1942, she was married to Delbert Johnson at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Stevens Point. Delbert passed away on Oct. 19, 1994.
Mildred had worked at Weber Lifelike Fly Company, Harvard Clothes and SuperValu, retiring in 1976. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America, AARP, Wisconsin Rapids Senior Center and was a volunteer at Riverview Hospital.
Survivors include her sons, Jerel (Barbara) Johnson of Wauwatosa, and Alan (Mary Jo) Johnson of Appleton; daughters, Gail Norene of Cedarburg, and Lois Johnson of Waupaca; eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
The Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Wisconsin Rapids, with the Rev. Jerome Patric officiating. Burial will follow in Guardian Angel Cemetery, Stevens Point, at 1 p.m. Visitation will be at the church from 10 a.m. until the time for Mass on Monday.
The John J. Buettgen Funeral Home, Wisconsin Rapids, is honored to be assisting the family. For online condolences, please visit www.honorone.com.
Marie DeLa Rosa
Marie DeLa Rosa (Garza) passed away on Sept. 7, 2018, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital with her family and friends at her side.
She was born on March 14, 1970, in Texas to Estella DeLa Rosa and late Alfonso DeLa Rosa. She is survived by four brothers, Alfonso Jr, Alphonso, Alonso and Alex. Marie was the loving mother of Cristina, Marietta, Georgia, Andrew, Victor (Amber), Sabrina, Marcos, Wausau, and Martin Jr. (April) Garza, Mosinee, Wisconsin. Grandmother of Daija, Jayden, Elijah, Kimberly, Illiana, Graci and Ignacio. Marie enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, family and friends.
She brightened the room with her smile. She was a hard worker. She loved sports, but especially watching the Green Bay Packers, movies and listening to music. She will be greatly missed by her children, grandchildren, family and friends. Especially by her sisters-in-law, Josie and Donna, who were there to help her. Marie is preceded in death by her father and grandson, Anthony Garza.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, at John J. Buettgen Funeral Home, 900 Old Highway 51, Mosinee, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a service to be held at 1 p.m. with Pastor Jordan Balk officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations for funeral arrangements would be appreciated. Our family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to family, friends and the support staff at Aspirus Wausau Hospital, specifically the ICC unit.
The John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the family. For online condolences, please visit www.honorone.com.
Elizabeth Schmidt
Elizabeth A. Schmidt 92, Wausau, a loving mother, friend to all, animals and humans, loved life and nature. She is now soaring with the birds in God’s hands in heaven. Until we meet again. We all love you. She was born to the late Carl and Leone (Spiering) Beglinger on Jan. 21, 1926. She married the love of her life Frederick A. Schmidt; he preceded her in death on Nov. 23, 2006.
She was a social bug by all means; she lived her life helping others. She also enjoyed cooking, going for walks, spending time in church and just being with her family and friends. She worked for St. Elizabeth Hospital for many years as the mail carrier.
She is survived by her five children; Ann (David) Hartwig, Cheryl (Jon) Griffith, John (Janice) Schmidt, Thomas (Karen) Schmidt, and William (Anne) Schmidt. One sister Susan (David) Proebsting, along with many grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Frederick, and her parents. Her final resting place will be at Riverside Cemetery in Appleton, Wisconsin.
Family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Stone Crest for all the wonderful care they gave Mom while she was there.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Salvation Army; she used to ring the bell every year.
Online condolences can be expressed at www.HonorOne.com. John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting the family at this time.
Marjorie Jinsky
Marjorie J. Jinsky, 88, passed away peacefully in her sleep, surrounded by loved ones, on Aug. 29, 2018, in Mauston. She was born to the late Frank and Ruby (Dunn) LaVonn on Dec. 1, 1929, in Wisconsin Rapids. She married the love of her life, William Jinsky, on Feb. 14, 1955; he preceded her in death.
She loved watching the Green Bay Packers, going shopping with friends, traveling to Las Vegas every year and just spending time with family and friends. She worked for the Wood County Court House her whole working career in the social services department.
She is survived by her one son, David Jinsky; two granddaughters, Carmen Pfaff and Jessica Jinsky, along with one great-granddaughter, Emma Pfaff; one brother-in-law, and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband, William; one son, Kevin Jinsky; parents, Frank and Ruby LaVonn; and sister, Janet Powell.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sept. 19, 2018, at John J. Buettgen Funeral Home at 631 E. Grand Ave., Wisconsin Rapids. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., with burial to be at Forest Hill Cemetery following. Online condolences may be expressed at www.HonorOne.com.
