Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Karen Wagner
Karen M. Wagner, 68, died Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
She was born May 17, 1950, in Antigo, daughter of the late Harry and Anna (Bocinsky) Krivoshein. On May 13, 1972, she married Arden Wagner in Wausau. He survives.
Karen worked for 43 years as a unit clerk in the hospital. She enjoyed traveling, swimming and camping with her family. She also enjoyed hosting family and friends at her home and above all she loved spending time playing with her grandkids.
Survivors include her husband, Arden, Wausau; children, Cynthia (Sean) Sandquist, Little Canada, Minnesota, Paul (Monica Allen) Wagner, Eagan, Minnesota, and Matthew Wagner, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota; grandchildren, Elizabeth Sandquist, Lily and Liam Wagner; siblings, Rose Mielke, Wausau, James (Sue) Krivoshein, Antigo and Louis (Beverly) Krivoshein, Gleason.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Ellyn Hoecherl and three brothers, Glen, Harry and Dale Krivoshein.
Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Ave., Wausau. Burial will be at a later date.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Gary Peters
Gary Michael Peters, 71, died Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, at Evergreen Place at Mount View Care Facility after a courageous battle with lewy body dementia.
He was born Jan. 4, 1947, in Wausau, son of the late Alfred and Helen (Koppa) Peters. On April 27, 1974, he married Irene Heahlke at First English Lutheran Church in Wausau. She survives.
Gary served in the U.S. Army from 1966-1968 as part of the 101st Airborne Division.
After his time in the service, Gary worked for 3M for 41 years before retiring. He played baseball for many years and coached Little League. He was also an avid hunter and enjoyed the time he spent in the woods, especially with his Springer Spaniels, Heidi, Penny, Kasey and Kate. He loved being outdoors and enjoyed working outside in his garden and doing yard work or socializing with the neighbors. Gary was also a sports fan and rarely missed a Packers or Brewers game and on Sundays the house was often filled with Polka music. Gary was also a competitive sheepshead player and enjoyed sitting down with his family for a few hands. He loved playing games with his granddaughters, and spending time with them.
Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Irene, Wausau; daughters Sheri (Kevin) Fochs, Wausau, and Jamie (Kyle) Schoessow, Kronenwetter; son Keith Peters, Appleton; granddaughters Emma, Addison and Ellis; brother Ronald (Faye) Peters, Wausau; sisters Karen (Jim) Ollhoff, Merrill, and Kristine (Gustave) Gollhardt, Wausau.
Besides his parents, Gary was proceeded in death by one sister, Patsy Peters; three brothers, Alfred ‘Fritz’ (Bee) Peters, Kenneth (Stella) Peters and William (Cary) Peters.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018, at First English Lutheran Church, 402 N. Third Ave., Wausau. Pastor Erik Olson will officiate. Visitation will take place from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018, at Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce St., Wausau, and again from 10 a.m. Friday until the time of services at the church. Burial will take place at Restlawn Memorial Park, where military honors will be given.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to all the staff and caregivers at Lakeview Heights and Evergreen Place at Mount View Care Facility. They provided amazing care and became a second family to Gary and Irene.
Michael Tetzlaff
Michael James Tetzlaff, 58, of Pulaski passed away Sept. 20, 2018, at his home. He was born on Jan. 25, 1960, in Wausau, the son of James and Lois (Kittel) Tetzlaff.
Mike graduated from Newman High School and went on to further his education, becoming a lifelong learner and professor. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Oklahoma as well as his Master’s and Ph.D. after being awarded a fellowship at the University of Maryland. His doctoral thesis was on cognitive studies, and he co-edited and contributed a chapter to a text book titled “Cognitive Science – An Introduction into The Study of Mind.”
On April 7, 1995, he married Sylvia Jane Wallace at the Norman Oklahoma Annual Medieval Fair in full period costume surrounded by family and friends. Mike loved Wisconsin, the Packers, and especially deer hunting in the fall at his uncle Clarence’s shack, affectionately known as “da forty.” He also enjoyed horse racing and handicapping the races was his favorite hobby. In his later years, he enjoyed riding his Harley and was a HOG member of the Wolf River Chapter #5629. Motorcycling was a passion he shared with his brother David. Getting to ride together and attending motorcycle races having many special times. Mike was very artistic and enjoyed graphic design and music and liked to share those talents with family and friends.
Survivors include his wife Sylvia, mother Lois, brother David (Kristin Luoma) Tetzlaff, nephew Ashton James Tetzlaff, and his precious fur babies Gizmo, Henry and Panda.
He was preceded in death by his father James, and precious fur babies Skylar, Mollie and Sootie.
The Funeral Service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, at the Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce St., Wausau. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of service.
Bonnie Peters
Bonnie L. Peters, 73, of Auburndale passed away on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, at the House of the Dove in Marshfield, surrounded by her loving family.
Per Bonnie’s request, there will be no public visitation or services held.
Bonnie was born on July 22, 1945, in the town of Eau Pleine to Gerhardt and Pauline (Greenberg) Hahn, and received her education in Stratford. She worked for the Auburndale School District for 43 years.
She married Joseph Anthony Peters on Jan. 11, 1964.
Bonnie will be remembered by her laugh, bright smile and kindness to others. She was a great influence on the many kids that she worked with throughout her 43 years.
She loved to fish with her grandkids in Phillips and spend time around any fire with her family and friends.
Survivors include her husband, Joseph; and daughters, Cheryl Pelzek and Sue (Kerry) Dietsche; grandchildren, Matthew and Marcus Pelzek, and Dustin Dietsche; sister, Bernice Fink; and brother-in-law, Dave Perlock.
In addition to her parents, Bonnie was preceded in death by her brothers, Ray and Jerry Hahn; sisters, Leona Perlock, Shirley Thieme; and brother-in-law, Ray “Fuzzy” Fink.
A special mention to very good friends, Diane Kunze, Tom Beers and Carol Sallee. Heartfelt thanks to my son-in-law, Kerry Dietsche for all his help.
A private memorial will be held for family in Phillips. The John J. Buettgen Funeral Home of Wisconsin Rapids is assisting the family.
Richard “Dick” Hirsch
Richard (Dick) Hirsch, 70, of Mosinee passed away on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, after a fierce nine-month battle with leukemia.
Dick was born on Jan. 13, 1948, to Arthur and Lucille (Poeschel) Hirsch in the town of Green Valley.
Dick was a 1966 graduate of Mosinee High School and on Sept. 3 of that same year he married Patricia (Posey) Krieg, his wife of 52 years.
Dick was proud of his many years of over-the-road truck driving achieving 2 million miles without an accident. He also loved to fly and obtained his pilot’s license on Oct. 30, 1971.
Dick enjoyed spending time with his family and friends playing cards, sharing stories around the campfire and he was known by everyone as someone who was always willing to lend a hand and share his knowledge in any sort of “Fix-it” situation.
In retirement, Pat and Dick enjoyed spending the winters at their home in Mission, Texas, where they made many friends, enjoyed activities with them, especially with their water volleyball team.
Dick is lovingly survived by his wife, Pat; son Gregory (Tamara) Hirsch, Vadnais Heights, Minnesota, and Keri Poremba, Marathon, Wisconsin, grandchildren Christina (Hirsch) Neville, (Aaron), Matthew Poremba and Meridith Poremba. He is further survived by his siblings David (Jan) Hirsch, Marshfield; Carl (Denise) Hirsch, Mosinee; Delores (Walt) Hauke, Mosinee; Betty (Al) McHugh, Edgar; Nancy (Bill) Engel, Stratford, and his very special furry friends Lucy and Frankie. He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Mary Lou Andres and Audrey Hill.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, Oct. 5, 2018, at John J. Buettgen Funeral Memorial Chapel, 900 Old Highway 51, Mosinee, WI 54455 from 11 a.m. until the time of Prayer Service at 2 p.m.
John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting family at this time.
Jeff “Fro” Suess
Jeff “Fro” Suess, 58, a lifelong resident of Birnamwood, passed away on Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, at the UW Madison Hospital.
He was born on March 29, 1960, in Antigo to the late Leo C. Suess, Sr. and Verna (Stadler) Suess. He was a 1978 graduate of Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School. Jeff worked in building construction with his good friends Jon Humblet and Alan Bauch. He also worked on his family farm for his entire life. He enjoyed bow and gun hunting, fishing and taking trips to Canada. Jeff was an avid pool shooter and won many tournaments.
Survivors include his mother, Verna Suess of Birnamwood; his siblings, Leo Suess, Jr. of Shawano, Jim (Ruth) Suess, Cherie (Kevin) Clark, all of Birnamwood, Janet (Larry) Laska of Rudolph, Julie (Jared) Wagner of Kronenwetter, Jerry Suess of Birnamwood, and Donna (Terry) Ostrowski of Wittenberg; many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and countless close friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Leo C. Suess, Sr.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Aniwa. Fr. Vicente Llagas will officiate. Visitation will be on Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home in Birnamwood, with a Rosary service at 7:30 p.m. On Friday, the visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the church.
Memories and condolences may be shared at schmidtschulta.com, or on Facebook at Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home.
