Wausau area obituaries, Oct. 1

Kerry L. Bielen, 62, of Rothschild died on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018.

Kerry was born on Nov. 19, 1955, in Michigan to the late Reuben and Marbelle (Jarvela) Koski. She graduated from Marquette High School and married James Bielen on Feb. 1, 1975, in Marquette, Michigan. Kerry was a sales consultant and manager for Jafra Cosmetics International for 44 years.

Kerry is survived by her husband Jim Bielen; children Brooke (Kurt) Czeck and Jonathon Bielen; siblings Ruby Koski, Mylan (Cheryl) Koski, Kathy (John) Downs, Kenneth Koski, and Kelly Koski; and many nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, at 11:30 a.m. Eastern time at Maple Hill Cemetery, Lake Lindon, Michigan. Remembrances of Kerry may be made in the form desired by her family and friends. Brainard Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.brainardfuneral.com.

It is with great sadness, the family of Larry Poch, 73, announce his passing. In the comfort of his own home, with his wife and daughters at his side, Larry lost his battle with cancer on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, at 9:03 a.m.

Larry was born Nov. 22, 1944, to the late Lawrence and Alice (Nelson) Poch in Antigo. He graduated from Antigo High School in 1963, joined the Army National Guard in 1964 – 1970 and married Sharon (Swanson) on Aug. 13, 1966, in Hogarty. Larry was employed by Drott/JI Case for many years before he and his wife opened a woodworking and craft business called Gifts N’ Things from 1981-1996. In 2005, he graduated from NCTC with a technical computer degree at the age of 60, working at MaraTech International. He retired at the age of 72. Retirement wasn’t something Larry was good at, so in order to preserve their marriage, Sharon jokingly stated he should find a part-time job and get out of the house, of which he did and started at County Market in the receiving department.

Larry enjoyed working on the computer, he took solace in yardwork so he constructed a pond in their front yard, he appreciated nature and relished several bucket list vacations he and Sharon were able to take over the last several years. Larry joined the Town of Texas Lions in October of 2011, where he gained the friendship of many special men.  Larry was a real people person and enjoyed spending time with others, he was quick witted and was the kind of man who would give the shirt off his back to help someone. He was the ROCK of his family, even if he didn’t agree with something we did – he always had our back. At times we were mad at him or didn’t even like him very much (that meant he was doing his job), but there was never a minute we didn’t love him. He is a part of us and, therefore, will always and forever be here with us.

Survivors include his wife Sharon of 52 years, brother Jerry Poch, sister Joan Nelson, daughters Micki (Todd) Duir, Terri (Todd) Szews, grandchildren Britney (Ben), Brandon, Dustin, Ryan (Sabrina), Dylan (Alisha) and Tyler, great-grandchildren Izzy, Ava Jo and any day now Nolen. He is preceeded in death by his parents Lawrence and Alice Poch and in-laws Melvin and Donna Swanson.

Words cannot express the gratitude Larry and his family have for his care team from Aspirus. Heartfelt thanks and special consideration given to Dr. Bill Nietert, Dr. Harish Ahuja, Dr. Bret Stysly and Dr. Jamie Costa. The last several weeks were made easier with the support from Aspirus Home Health (Tina) and then Aspirus Hospice Care (Kristy, Amy, Matt, Carla, Haley, Gary and Jennifer). You are extremely special people. We will never forget how passionately you helped us get over the hurdles, assisting in making this journey as peaceful for us as you possibly could.  We would also like to send love and appreciation to our Circle of Love staff (Wendy, Sally, Jaque, Dominique and Rachel), making it possible for our family to spend as much time together as we could these last several months.

Visitation will be held Thursday, Oct. 4 from 4 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. and then a short service at 6:30 p.m. at Peterson / Kraemer Funeral Home on Sixth Street, Wausau. One of Larry’s final wishes was to find the person who did his mother’s funeral service many years ago. We succeeded/ Doug Jones will be officiating. Doug you have a heart of no other, you are thoughtful, kind, considerate and selfless. Having you officiate this service gave Dad a sense of comfort and peace during the end of his final journey. It is with great admiration we thank you.

Donald Resch

Donald Anthony Resch, 75, of Birnamwood passed away on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, at his home under the care of his wife, Diane, and LeRoyer Hospice of Antigo.

Don was born on July 28, 1943, in Mattoon, the eldest son of the late Louis A. and Hilda (Koeppel) Resch. He grew up on a dairy farm and graduated in 1961 from Birnamwood High School. On June 1, 1963, Don was united in marriage to Dorothy C. Heckert at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Aniwa. She preceded him in death in December of 2000. After marriage, Don bought his father’s milk routes and drove a truck for several years.

In June of 1968, he joined the Wisconsin State Patrol and moved to Mauston. In May of 1970, the couple then moved to Bradenton, Florida, where he joined the Bradenton Police Department; retiring in 1990. The couple then moved back home to Wisconsin. After returning home, he settled in the Mattoon area where he worked as a truck driver, at a casino and at Homme Youth and Family Programs for 11 years. Don also served as the town of Hutchins clerk from 1993 until 2012.

On May 11, 2002, Don was united in marriage to Diane Nickens Frietag at United Methodist Church in Mattoon. She survives.

All his life, Don enjoyed playing sports, mainly basketball and baseball. As his children grew up, he enjoyed coaching all of their games at the Boys Clubs. He also enjoyed many hours of fishing and hunting with them. Don was always happy to help others and enjoyed the time he spent working with the troubled youth at Homme. After Don and Diane joined St. John’s Lutheran Church in Mattoon, Don enjoyed serving on the church council for many years and took pride in doing the custodial work for a number of years. At retirement, Diane encouraged Don to take up golf, a game he learned to love and he taught Diane to play with him. He always said, “There is nothing more beautiful and relaxing than riding around on a beautiful golf course on a beautiful day with a beautiful woman in your golf cart.”

Don and Diane enjoyed traveling, staying in their timeshares and playing golf nearly every day through spring, summer and fall. They especially enjoyed playing the golf courses in the hills of Tennessee, the Carolinas and Missouri. They were regulars at Bass Lake, Antigo, and Maple Hills, Wittenberg.

Survivors include his wife, Diane of Birnamwood; five sons, Donald L. (April) Resch of Waynesboro, Tennessee, Steven C. (Donna) Resch of Sister Bay, Tracy A. Resch of Antigo, Trevor E. (Traci) Resch of Hatley and Christopher T. (Amy) Resch of Birnamwood; 12 grandchildren, Donald A. II and Nicholas Resch of Wausau, Stephanie Resch of Tennessee, Desarai and Casey Resch of Bartow, Florida, Corey Resch of Antigo, Traci K. Tallman of Antigo, Damien Resch of Wausau, Dylan Resch of Wittenberg, Brittny (Billy) Resch of Wausau and Natasha (Casey Hitz) Resch of Birnamwood; seven great grandchildren, Izzy and Zada Resch of Tennessee, Caiden and Caleigh Resch of Birnamwood, Kaylan Resch of Florida, E. Jay Louis Resch of Antigo and Braelyn Hitz of Birnamwood; siblings, Delores ‘Dolly’ Dickman of Antigo, Carol (Rodney) Davidson of Washington, Gerald (special friend Sharon Walker) Resch, Helen (John) Meverden, Thomas Resch and Mary (William) Noskowiak, all of Birnamwood, Sharon Resch of Antigo, Eugene Resch, Michael (Barbara) Resch and Terry (Tammy) Resch, all of Birnamwood and Tim ( Dorothy) Resch of Wausau and many other relatives and friends.

Donald was preceded in death by his first wife Dorothy and parents, Louis and Hilda Resch.

A Christian Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Mattoon. Rev. Dean Bertsch will officiate. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Mattoon. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Birnamwood, and again on Thursday at the church, from 10 a.m. until the time of service.

Memories and condolences may be shared at schmidtschulta.com or Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home on Facebook.