Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Scott Parsons
Quiet and shy are not words that one would use to describe Scott Parsons. Loud, xtreme, artist, talented, hard-working, chrome, toxic pipes, karaoke and giving are words that more accurately describe him.
Scott lived life, every day. ome would say he lived fast and hard. He packed a ton of experiences in his 47 years. He was the life of the party. But Scott was also thoughtful and caring. He would do anything for his family and friends.
Scott spent a great deal of the last 15 years with Trish and her boys, Cody and Dylan. This tough biker would work with the boys when they were young to build and create holiday and birthday presents for Trish. Along the way he would teach lessons about power tools. Scott’s lessons were not always taught in a traditional method, however. Teaching Cody how to shoot a nail gun across the garage is a story that comes to mind.
Scott was always funny, or so he thought. Many Christmas presents were taped together with duct tape and he enjoyed watching those struggle to open them. At the shop, if he realized you were potentially scared of the Mackaws, oh, would he laugh when Vegas would fly and take a swoop at your head.
Scott will be missed by many. But he will never be far away. He will be there in the loud music or the rumble of the bikes traveling down the road. He will be that annoying tickle that you can’t seem to get rid of. Or it may be a certain smell or a certain song or maybe just the memories we all have of him.
Scott was preceded in death by his mother, Rosalie Parsons. Survivors include his father, James Parsons, sister, Vicki (George) Wilde, niece and nephew Elizabeth and Alan. His long-time best friend and companion Trish and her children Cody and Dylan.
A celebration of Scott’s life will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018, at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of services, all at the Sixth Street funeral home. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Scott’s name. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Robin Zastrow
Robin Denise Zastrow, 54, passed away on Wednesday Sept. 19, 2018, at Aspirus Wausau Hospice House after a nine-month battle with cancer, with her sisters, Vicki, Donna and Linda by her side.
Robin was born Dec. 9, 1963, the youngest of nine children to Fred and Virginia (Tietz) Zastrow.
Robin attended Wausau area schools. She worked on the family dairy farm until she became a substitute mail carrier. She became a full-time rural carrier for 33 years until she became ill in November 2017.
Robin enjoyed playing scrabble and, occasionally, poker and bowling. Robin, in her younger years, served as a Girl Scout co-leader and was active with Little League when her son played ball.
Robin enjoyed reading Steven King novels and had a large collection of his books. Robin loved animals big and small and rescued many animals.
Survivors include two sons, Cody and Kyle Smoker, both of Wausau, her mother, Virginia Zastrow, Wausau, four sisters, Linda Schroeder (Dick), Donna Kufahl, Wausau, Kathy Wistrom, Wausau and Vicki Deckert, Wausau, two brothers, Elroy Zastrow (Sharon), and Arlin Zastrow (April), Aniwa, along with many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father, Fred Zastrow, two brothers, Wayne and Garry Zastrow, two brothers-in-law, Bruce Kufahl and Gary Wistrom.
The family wants to thank Dr. Niaz-Haque and his staff, Dr. Darryl Barton and his staff at the Aspirus Cancer Center. To all the wonderful nurses of the Aspirus oncology ward and palliative care unit and the caring hearts at the Aspirus Hospice House and a special heartfelt appreciation for the love and 24-hour care by her sister, Vicki during Robin’s illness.
A Memorial Gathering will be held at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau, on Monday Sept. 24, 2018, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions will be made to the Wausau Humane Society and the Aspirus Hospice House.
Robin left us too soon—she will be forever missed, forever loved and forever in our hearts.
Thomas Braunel
Thomas L. Braunel, 60, Marathon, died Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018, at his home. Tom was born Sept. 20, 1958, to Merlyn and Marilyn (Wokatsch) Braunel in Wausau. Tom graduated from Marathon High School in 1976. Currently he was employed with O’Brien Steel. He was an independent yet social man, considering himself a “truck guy.” Being outdoors cutting wood was a good day for Tom. He really enjoyed helping others and especially at the Twin B Dairy Farm, where you could frequently find him.
Survivors include his mother, Marilyn Braunel, Wausau; his sister, Maxine, Wausau; his brother, Scott (Linda) Braunel, Wausau; a nephew, Jesse Braunel, Marathon, and a niece, Stephanie (Chad) VanderZanden, South Milwaukee. He was preceded in death by his father, Merlyn.
A Funeral Service will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Ave., Wausau. Rev. Zach Holdorf will officiate. Burial will be at Pine Grove Cemetery at a later date. Friends may call from 3 p.m. until the time of services at the funeral home.
“Happy Birthday Tom! Rest in Peace.”
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for a donation to a charity of their choice.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Laura Raddatz
Laura M. Raddatz, 95, of Wausau passed away on Sept. 23, 2018, at Benedictine Living Community in Wausau.
Laura was born on Oct. 18, 1922, in the town of Weston, on the farm of her late parents, Julius and Emma Dehnel. The homestead place was where Greenwood Hills Golf Course is located. She was baptized on Nov. 12, 1922, confirmed April 14, 1935, and married to Ewald Raddatz, at Zion Lutheran Church, Wausau, July 20, 1940.
She is survived by daughters, Doralene of Wausau and Joann (Dennis) Schleif of Merrill; three grandchildren, Todd (Cherie) Zunker, Dwight Schleif, and Darrin (Chelsey) Schleif; great-grandchildren, Zach (Courtney) Zunker, Dante Schleif, and Lincoln and Mayvree Schleif; and great-great-grandchild, Kayleigh Zunker.
Laura was preceded in death by her husband, Ewald; son, Kenneth; parents; sister, Hilda Raddatz; brothers, Alex, Art, Harold, and Ray Dehnel; and son-in-law, Roger Zunker.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018, at Zion Lutheran Church, Wausau, with Rev. Steven Gjerde officiating. Family and friends may call beginning at 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Burial will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery, village of Maine.
You may sign the family guestbook at www.helke.com.
A special thank you to the “angels” at St. Benedictine who cared for Laura since Dec. 8, 2014. She referred to the facility as her “home” before she went to heaven.
Fredrick Dehnel
Fredrick J. Dehnel, 81 of Birnamwood died on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
He was born on Feb. 10, 1937, in Weston, the son of the late Arthur and Elizabeth (Buhr) Dehnel. On June 29, 1996, Fred was united in marriage to Donna Stachovak at Our Savior’s International Catholic Church, Mosinee. She survives.
Fred was employed at Wausau Homes for 35 years until his retirement. He loved being in the outdoors, hunting and fishing. Fred had a love of tractors and enjoyed collecting them. He also enjoyed collecting fishing supplies and the occasional trip to the casino. Fred also loved his cats and going to thrift stores.
Fred is survived by his wife, Donna Dehnel; step-children, Jennifer (Randy) Hafeman of Wausau and Helen (Paul) Stubb of Menomonie; four step-grandchildren, Jessie, Justin, Nicholas and Taylor and three brothers, Lawrence Dehnel of Ringle, Elmer Dehnel of Rothschild and Ray (Judy) Dehnel of the town of Easton.
In addition to his parents, Fred was preceded in death by a step-grandchild, Nathan and a sister-in-law, Donna.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018, at St. Philomena Catholic Church, Birnamwood. Rev. Vicente Llagas will officiate. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Kronenwetter. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 9 a.m. until the time of Mass at the church.
Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Birnamwood, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared at schmidtschulta.com or Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home on Facebook.
