Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
William “Bill” Rietz
William “Bill” Rietz passed away in his sleep on Friday, Sept. 14, at Colonial Manor in Wausau. Bill was born July 28, 1954, in Wausau and spent his life in the area. He was happily married to Darlene Rossenbach and spent his free time enjoying rides on his motorcycle. He also loved spending time with his dog Louie and could be found people watching in random restaurants as a way to pass time.
Bill is survived by his daughter Rebecca Schmidt, son Bruce Rietz and daughter-in-law Alyssa Rietz, his sisters Cindy Rietz, Linda Buss, Peggy Manowski and their families. His extended families include LeDuc and Rossenbach. He had touched the hearts and brought a smile to the faces of his family and anyone he met.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 21, 2018, at Peace United Church of Christ, 1530 Grand Ave., Schofield. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church.
Brainard Funeral Home – Wausau Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.brainardfuneral.com.
Roger Setterman Sr.
Roger James Setterman Sr., 78, Kronenwetter, formerly of Burlington, died Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
He was born July 8, 1940, in Butternut, son of the late Joel and Myra (Smart) Setterman. On May 15, 1965, he married Rachel “Betty” Michalski in Milwaukee. She survives.
Roger was a veteran of the United States Airforce. For 42 years, he worked as a production planner for Packaging Corporation of America in Burlington until his retirement. He was an avid Green Bay Packers fan and Milwaukee Brewers fan and enjoyed watching horse racing. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family.
Survivors include his loving wife of 53 years, Rachel “Betty” Setterman; three children, Roxanne (Stu) Olson and Roger Jr. (Sharon) Setterman, both of Burlington, and Renee Berglund, Salem; six grandchildren, Ronnie (Kristen) Beasely, Ashley (Travis) Nolder, Aaron (Sydney) Berglund, Hannah and Austin Merkling and Sierra Olson; six great-grandchildren, Zaine, Emma, Jackson, Callie, Trip and Josie; his stepfather, Norman Haegerl, Glidden; eight siblings, Eugene (Gloria) Setterman, Wausau, Myrna Hilgart, Park Falls, Barbara (Donald) Michalski, Chippewa Falls, Linda (Donald) Liebelt, Fifield, Susan (Michael) Schnautz, Butternut, Vicky (Clifford) Myszka, Athens, Michael “Butch” (Brenda) Setterman, Butternut and Deborah (Allen) Thimm, Glidden; one brother-in-law, Don Murphy; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Carol Murphy; and one brother, Raymond Setterman.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 21, 2018, at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau. Rev. Joy Nelson-Jeffers will officiate. Visitation will be on Friday from 10 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home. Military honors will be conducted by the American Legion Montgomery Plant Dudley Post. No. 10, Wausau.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Hamied Rezazadeh and the staff at Aspirus Cancer Center and the staff of the oncology unit at Aspirus Wausau Hospital for the excellent care and support given to Roger during his illness.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Mary Wesenick
Mary Lou Wesenick, 75, of Wausau passed away on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, at Wausau Manor.
Mary Lou was born in Wausau on Nov. 28, 1942, to the late Harold and Juliet (Pflieger) Koch. She married Jerome Wesenick on Oct. 14, 1967. Jerome preceded Mary Lou in death on June 2, 2014.
After completing her associate degree, Mary worked as an accountant. She worked for Marathon County Health Care Center for 40 years. Later years found Mary Lou and Jerry working together as hosts in state and national parks and most notably at Washington Island Parks. They also enjoyed deer hunting and fishing.
Mary was a proud member of the Wausau Boot and Saddle Club, Marathon County Agricultural Society and U.S. Trotting Association. She was a board member of the Wisconsin Harness Horse Association and served as the racing secretary for the Marathon County Fair in Wausau.
In the 80s, they moved to Harvard, Illinois. She worked for Country Club Estates and Sedom. With the help of Donnie Nolan, they acquired an Ambro McIntosh filly named Kmacaroni. Kmacaroni was one of the top two-year-old pacing fillies in Illinois in 1999. As an avid Green Bay Packers fan, she enjoyed making wagers with Donnie, who is a Chicago Bears fan.
In 2015, the Wisconsin Harness Horse Association awarded the Lifetime Appreciation Award to Mary Lou in recognition of the dedication she, her father, mother and husband faithfully gave to harness racing in Wisconsin.
Mary Lou is survived by her sister-in-law, Joan (Jim) Farr; nieces, Susan (Kevin) Marcott and Lynette (Rob) Timler; nephew, Scott (Kathleen) Farr; Jerry and Mary Lou’s adopted family, Donald and Carolyn Nolen and their children, Megan, Collin and Justin; cousin Patsy (Dale) Klinger and their daughter Vicki (Brent) Bernards and special friends, Debbie Nass and Peter DeSantis.
Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Juliet Koch and her husband Jerome.
A special thank you to the staff at Wausau Manor. They are kind, caring people who treated Mary like a member of their extended family.
A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 21, 2018, at Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce St., Wausau. Visitation will take place from 3 p.m. until the time of services at the funeral home.
Thomas Briggs
Thomas Melvin Briggs, 53, Schofield, died unexpectedly Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, at his home.
Thomas was born March 16, 1965, to Melvin and Betty Lou (Wesco) Briggs. He honorably served his country in the U.S. Army as a military police pfficer (April 1985 – March 1988) attaining the rank of SP4. Thomas married Stephanie Bishop on Aug. 11, 1989. Over the years, he worked at a variety of businesses in the Wausau area.
Thomas was an avid outdoorsman; enjoying everything to do with being in the Northwoods. He often camped, hunted, fished, spent time by the camp fire and when at home enjoyed his backyard. At times, Thomas could be a stubborn and prideful man who lived life on his own terms; the past 15 or so years have seen him soften greatly and grow much closer to his family. Throughout his life, he loved spending time with his family during the holidays and family vacations. He was a huge Green Bay Packers fan looking forward every year to watching the Green and Gold play.
Thomas is survived by his wife, Stephanie Briggs; daughter, Amber (Thomas) Chisholm; son, Brandon Weix; mother, Betty Lou Haffeman; siblings, John “Zeke” (Reneé) Smith, Rita Kuik, Tim (Angie) Briggs and Terry (Karolyn) Briggs; and extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by his father, Melvin Briggs; brothers, Ralph and Jody Smith.
There will be a private family gathering at a later date. Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Jason “Jay” Sather
Jason “Jay” Sather, 41, of Wausau passed away peacefully on Sept. 17, 2018, at Aspirus Hospice House in Wausau surrounded by his loving family. He was born on March 8, 1977, to Brian and Kim (Krajenka).
Jay was a loving, caring and devoted father, an amazing son, and a brother like no other.
He is survived by his children, Keyanna, Taylor and Vennessa, his mother; Kim (Sandy) father; Brian (Judy), brother; Shawn and all other loving family and friends.
He will be truly missed by all! Enjoy “Egypt Jay,” we love you.
A private family gathering will be held in the spring.
John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences can be expressed at www.HonorOne.com.
Patricia Gotz
Patricia Lou (Mitchell) Gotz, 81, of Wisconsin Rapids passed away, surrounded by her family, of lung cancer, on Friday, Sept. 14, 2018, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. She was born on Jan. 10, 1937, in Glidden, Wisconsin, to the late Edward and Mary (Pohl) Mitchell. She was married to John T. Gotz for 61 years, he survives.
Patricia had worked at Garber’s, Harvestor and later as an administrative assistant at Mid-State Technical College in Wisconsin Rapids before retiring. She loved playing cards, watching the Green Bay Packers, traveling, fishing, occasionally going to the casino, cooking big family dinners and spending time with family and friends. She was coined the “Energizer Bunny,” as she could go for hours from weeding and trimming to cleaning, and she would help anyone who needed it. Patricia was a kind and loving person, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and a sister-in-law.
Patricia is survived by her husband, daughters Luanne Gotz, Lynn (Gotz) Szulczewski (Jerry), Lori Gotz, grandchildren, Gina (Szulczewski) Zuberbier (Aric), Jerod Szulczewski, Erin Szulczewski, Pauline La Barge (Xeng Khang), and great-grandchild Annabella Khang.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers Rodney Mitchell and Fred Mitchell (Roberta surviving).
The Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Wisconsin Rapids with the Rev. Jerome Patric officiating.
Visitation will be at the church on Saturday morning from 9:30 a.m. until the time for Mass.
Entombment will be at 2:30 p.m. on Monday at the Forest Hill Mausoleum.
John J. Buettgen Funeral Home of Wisconsin Rapids is honored to be assisting the family.
Susan Wiater
Susan Marie Wiater, 65, of Wausau passed away Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. She was born in Marshfield, Wisconsin, on Aug. 20, 1953, the daughter of the late Arthur and Kathryn (Hintz) Fravert.
She graduated from Loyal High School. On Jan. 22, 1972, she married Chester Wiater at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spencer, Wisconsin. Susan worked at K-mart for 19 years until its closure, Westwood Conference Center and, most recently, for Meals on Wheels. She enjoyed trips to the casino and spending time with her grandchild and great grandchildren.
Susan is survived by her two children, Charity (John) Anderson, Bowler; Clint Wiater, San Francisco; a brother, Frederic (Mary) Fravert, Merrill; a sister, Ruth Fravert, Loyal; granddaughter, Kathleen (AJ) Miller, Gresham; two great granddaughters, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Chester, a nephew Derrick Fravert, and many brother and sisters-in-law.
Visitation will take place on Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018, at 9:30 a.m. with service beginning at 10 a.m. at Bible Presbyterian Church, 1605 County Highway G, Merrill, Wisconsin. Pastor Andy Perry will officiate.
Marion Matz
Marion F. Matz, 91, of Birnamwood passed away on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at her home surrounded by family and under the care of LeRoyer Hospice, Antigo.
She was born on Dec. 24, 1926, in Sheboygan, the daughter of the late Joseph and Theresa (Trumm) Kaufmann. She later moved to Birnamwood where she lived her entire life. On June 18, 1949, she married Edward Matz, Sr. at St. Philomena Catholic Church in Birnamwood, he survives.
Marion was a very busy lady. She loved to sew, crochet and knit, but most of all she loved to sing and play her guitar. She entertained many places and was known to sing the “Bear Song” and other songs of yesteryear for the elderly. She sang at the Homme Home on Fridays for their Mass when Fr. Ev was there. Marion made everyone around her happy and they enjoyed the sing-alongs. She loved flowers and being active in her church. She was known as the “Poppy Lady” on the street corners. Marion enjoyed selling Avon products, Home Imports, and Stanley Home Products. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Birnamwood for many years. Years ago she ran the Snack Bar restaurant in Birnamwood and was also a Girl Scout leader. She will be missed by her family and friends.
Survivors include her husband, Edward; five children, Ed (Judy) Matz, Jr. of Pickerel, Hope Baken of Fon du Lac, Marilyn (Terry) Fischer of Norrie, Chad (Cindy) Matz, and Mark (Judie) Matz, all of Birnamwood; 12 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Shirley Clark of Birnamwood and Lois Liethen of Wittenberg; two brothers-in-law, George Twaroski and Keith White both of Birnamwood; and two very special neighbors, Ron “Berf” and Jonelle Resch.
She was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Theresa Kaufmann, and siblings, Al Kaufmann, Bernice Silsby, Theresa Kunst, John Kaufmann and Lorraine Twaroski.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at noon on Friday, Sept. 21, 2018, at St. Philomena Catholic Church in Birnamwood. Fr. Vicente Llagas will officiate. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass on Friday at the church.
Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Birnamwood, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Memories and condolences may be shared at schmidtschulta.com or on Facebook at Schmidt and Schulta Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Wisconsin Chapter, 1120 James Drive, Suite A, Hartland, WI 53029.
