Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Angela “Angie” Kucirek
Angela “Angie” Kucirek, 86, Wausau, died Monday, Oct. 1, 2018, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
She was born Aug. 9, 1932, in Wausau, daughter of the late Kaspar and Anna (Hohl) Schilling. On Oct. 5, 1963, she married Robert Kucirek at St. Mary Catholic Church, Wausau. He survives.
After high school, Angie worked at D.J. Murray in Wausau and after her marriage to Bob, devoted her life to be a full-time wife and traveling partner with Bob. Trusting in faith, church was her life. She was a faithful, loyal member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, Court No. 498, Wausau, serving as chief ranger for 20 years. Angie traveled all 49 states, mostly with her husband’s work and with the Catholic Order of Foresters. She had a fond affection for stuffed animals, especially bears.
Survivors include her husband, Robert Kucirek, Wausau, one sister, Anna Marie (Edward) Hajec, Brookfield, and one brother, John Schilling, and 21 nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Victoria (Larry) Bednarski and three brothers, Anton (Barbara) Schilling, Casper (Dolores) Schilling and William Schilling.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018, at St. Michael Catholic Church, Wausau. Rev. Msgr. Mark Pierce will preside. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Wausau. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau, and again on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church. There will be a parish rosary at 6 p.m. Tuesday evening at the Sixth Street funeral home. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
William “Bill” Zenner
Our father, William M. (Bill) Zenner, passed away serenely on Sept. 23, 2018, at the age of 98. He was the eldest of three sons born to Lillian and Michael Zenner on Oct. 22, 1919, in Marshfield, Wisconsin. Following in his father’s footsteps, Dad served his country in the armed forces. He joined the infantry in 1942 during World War II, with the aspiration of becoming a pilot. He served in the United States Army Air Corps with the 2nd Air Transport Squadron in the China-Burma-India Theatre of Operations, where he ferried aircraft and searched for downed planes. As a transport pilot, he flew over the treacherous Himalayas, completing 56 missions over the the “Hump” carrying highly explosive airplane fuel. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal prior to his discharge from the military as a First Lieutenant in September of 1945.
Dad married our mother, Grace Mary Wachtl, his sweetheart of three years, on base at Major Field Post Chapel in Greenville, Texas, on June 24, 1943. During his military service, they relocated to several U.S. Army Air Corps bases before our mother returned home to Wisconsin to await the arrival of their first child.
After his discharge from the military, Dad worked in management, farming and accounting positions in Wisconsin, where he and Mom raised their five children. In 1964, Dad began a new career path with the Linder family businesses in Tulare, California, continuing through 1974, where he became the accounting manager for Dr. Lionel Brazil of Western Dairies, Inc. until 1976. His final career move was to be office manager for the Beck family at Sturgeon and Beck, Inc. where he retired and ended his career in 2004 at the age of 85.
Dad enjoyed team bowling and, at age 70, became interested in western country swing dancing. He and Mom, frequently wearing matching western wear, began dancing several nights each week in dance clubs throughout the Central Valley. Though they were passionate about dance, it was the friendships they built along the way that they most cherished. Many of their dance friends would characterize Dad with the song, “I Just Want to Dance With You,” which so beautifully expresses his love for Mom with the words “Twirl you all around the floor, cuz that’s what they invented dancing for.” All loved seeing our parents on the dance floor! One highlight for them was when they traveled to Knoxville, Tennessee, and danced on the televised “Club Dance” cable program.
Aside from work and play, Dad was deeply committed to his community. Dad was a member of St. Aloysius Church in Tulare and for many years volunteered in various capacities. He was a member of the American Legion of Marathon, Wisconsin, AMVETS Tulare Post 56 and Sons of Italy Enrico Caruso Lodge in Visalia. He was passionate about his faith and family as demonstrated by his volunteerism, joy of family celebrations and ardor for dancing with our Mom, who was the love of his life. He is predeceased by his parents, wife of 75 years Grace, two brothers, Bernie and Ron, sister-in-law, Connie and son-in-law, Roy.
Bill will lovingly be remembered by his surviving children: Kathy Kocik of Wausau, Wisconsin, Bill Zenner Jr. (Jackie) of Blaine, Minnesota, Jack Zenner (Laurie) of Fort Collins, Colorado, Barbara Ellenberg (Kenneth) of Dallas, Texas, and Theresa Green (Kevin) of Exeter. In addition, he is survived by t10 grandchildren: Michael Kocik, Jeff Kocik, Jon Kocik, Kate Passineau, Kim Smerda, Brad Zenner, Brian Zenner, Ben Zenner, Andrew Zenner, and Clint Ellenberg, as well as 14 great grandchildren: Kristin, Brittany, Ariana, Nikolas, and Olivia Kocik, Lily and Thomas Passineau, Henna Smerda, Brandon, Brooke, Lily and Jasmine Zenner, and Emery and Isla Ellenberg, as well as sister-in-law, Shirley Zenner of Athens, Wisconsin.
Our family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to all of the angels at Quail Park Memory Care Residences and Kaweah Delta Hospice for their love and care. We will be forever grateful! We would like to give special acknowledgement to Lupe Suarez, our dear friend and caregiver and Angela Hinostroza LVN, for their extraordinary attention in caring for our dear father.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests consideration be given to making a donation in Dad’s memory to the St. Aloysius Parish Building Fund or St Aloysius School Memorial Fund (125 East Pleasant St., Tulare), or AMVETS Department of California (157 South K St., Tulare.)
Recitation of the Rosary and Mass of the Resurrection were held on Friday, Sept. 28, at 10 a.m. at St. Aloysius Church, 125 East Pleasant, Tulare, California, with interment in Halder, Wisconsin, at a later date.
Delores Denzine
Delores Henrietta Denzine, 87, of Wausau passed away Septe. 28, 2018, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital surrounded by her family. She was born May 26, 1931, in Marathon, the daughter of the late Henry and Elsie (Becker) Adams. On April 17, 1950, she married Myron Henry Denzine in Athens.
Growing up on the family farm, Delores knew the meaning of hard work and passed it on to her family. Over the years she had many jobs but the most important one was mother and grandmother. Delores enjoyed spending time outdoors especially at the family cottage fishing with her husband, Myron, and her son Michael.
Survivors include her husband, Myron, their children Susan Frick and Michael Denzine, seven grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and daughter Sally.
A Memorial Gathering will be Friday, Oct. 5, 2018, at Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce St., Wausau from 10 a.m. to noon. Entombment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park, town of Texas, following the memorial gathering.
Anton Wiltschka
Anton Wiltschka, 89, found peace and passed away on Oct. 2 at his home in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. Anton was born on Jan. 24, 1929, in Czechoslovakia. His family moved to Germany when he was a child, where he lived until he came to the United States in his mid-20s and met his future wife Beatrice Kleinschmidt in Milwaukee.
He was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather and proud veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in the 85th infantry during the Korean War. He leaves behind his three daughters; Cindy (Arthur) Zeratsky, Elaine (Michael) McMullen and Ann (Neal) Ciriacks. Tony was a grandfather of 11; Mary (Matt), Jeffrey, Darlene (Robert), Rachael (Jaime), Michael (deceased), Dakota, Sarah, Melissa (Cody), Gabby, Noah and Bentley. Tony was blessed to also be the great-grandfather to Bradley, Myles, Leah, Ethan, Analyce, Robert Jr., Ariel, Arianna, Aubry, Carter and Callum.
Anton (Tony) was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Beatrice.
Service will be held on Friday, Oct. 5, 2018, at John J. Buettgen Funeral Home, 631 E. Grand Ave, Wisconsin Rapids. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until time of service at 10:30 a.m. Fr. Dave Bruener will officiate. Burial will follow at Restlawn Cemetery with full Military Honors.
Although his family is happy he has been reunited with the love of his life, “Beats”, they will forever miss him and hold them in their hearts.
His family would like to thank the staff, which has become an extended family, of Wellington Place and the Hartland Hospice team. He made many friends at Wellington and called it home for nine years.
John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting the family at this time. Online condolences can be made at www.HonorOne.com.
Wayne Halverson
Wayne L. Halverson, 85, of Bancroft passed away on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, at home. He was born June 29, 1933, in Neenah, to the late Ole and Doris Halverson, and served in the U.S. Army as a dog trainer in Germany from 1953-1957.
He went on to earn his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UW-Madison. Wayne was an art historian at UW-Stevens Point from 1965 until his retirement in 1991 as professor emeritus. For years, he bred and showed collie dogs; and later in life, he bred and showed Arabian horses.
In addition to his parents, Wayne was preceded in death by his sister, Carol Seelman. Private services will be held.
The John J. Buettgen Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids is assisting with arrangements.
Gregory “Greg” Furmanek
Gregory “Greg” J. Furmanek, 59, of Bevent passed away unexpectedly at the Theda Care Regional Medical Center in Neenah.
He was born on March 14, 1959, in Wausau, the son of the late Walter and Francis (Landowski) Furmanek. Greg was the youngest of seven siblings and was a 1977 graduate of Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School. He worked for Marathon Electric, the Waupaca Foundry and for the last 12 years he drove a truck for Construck, Stevens Point.
Greg loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing and riding his motorcycle. He also enjoyed shooting pool with friends, including many tournaments. He was a sports fan, always watching the Packers, Brewers, and especially Nascar.
Survivors include his two children, Danielle “Dani” (Matthew) Wierzba of Bevent, and Eric (Ashley) Furmanek of Hatley; four granddaughters, Aubrey, Brinley, and Lucy Wierzba, and Ayla Furmanek; his siblings, Delores (Roger) Kluck of Custer, Val (Geraldine) Furmanek of Bevent, Marlene (Dan) Wilson of Aguilar, CO, Art (Judy) Furmanek, Allan (Pam) Furmanek, all of Bevent, and Lenore (Larry) Grosinske of Wausau; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and infant sister, Bonita.
Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 8, 2018, at St. Ladislaus Catholic Church in Bevent. Sr. Mary Ellen Diermeier will officiate. The visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of Mass at the church.
Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Wittenberg, is assisting the family with arrangements.
