Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Scott Lehman
On Saturday, Oct. 20, Scott Lehman gained his wings and went home to his heavenly reward.
Scott was well known by his family and friends for his kindness, sharp wit, sense of humor and to never be at a loss for a pun.
He enjoyed the Jackpine Jamboree and followed his favorite band, Horseshoes and Hand Grenades. He would also enter his spicy chilis and grilled foods to competitions and win awards.
Scott served in the U.S. Army as an MP stationed in Europe. He then worked in security at the Kewaunee Nuclear Power Plant, later for WPS, and then worked as an IT technician for many years. He taught computer classes at NWTC. He was very involved with Immanuel Lutheran Church in Kewaunee.
He moved to Wausau to care for his parents at home while also working at Wausau Financial as an IT and Oma’s School House.
Scott was born in Fort Riley, Kansas, on Aug. 30, 1956, to Dale and Caryl Lehman and was the eldest of four children. He is survived by his two sons Dan, Kewaunee, and Michael (Michaela) of Denmark and the mother of his children, Sue Benson. He is further survived by his three sisters Lori Zilsch (John), Lisa Kalmon and Luanne Lehman (Ray). He is also survived by his friends at the Red Apple Family Restaurant, his dear friends Mary Abts, Keith and Betsy Vohwinkel, Sharon and Paul Jerabek and Steve Moede. He loved his nieces, nephews and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents and Harlan Ihlenfeldt.
A Memorial service will be held on Oct. 27 at 11 a.m. at Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church in Weston. Visitation hours will start at 9:30 a.m. until his memorial service at the church.
Thomas Jablonski
Thomas J. Jablonski, 87, Wausau, died Monday, Oct. 22, 2018, at Mount View Care Center.
He was born May 23, 1931, in Chicago, Illinois, son of the late Thomas and Mary (Lachtera) Jablonski. On Feb. 16, 1963, he married Margaret Gross in Stevens Point. She survives.
Thomas proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. He taught at the former St. James Catholic School and later taught at Newman High School from which he retired. Among his many involvements, he was a supervisor with the Wausau Park Department Pools, was a volunteer coordinator at Marathon County Social Services, was active in community theater and directed theater at Newman High School, as well as serving the Boy Scouts as assistant leader in the St. James Troop. Camping, biking and drama were favorite pastimes for Tom.
Survivors include his wife, Margaret, six children, Paul (Christina) Jablonski, Green Bay, Lisa (Joe) Hietpas, Kaukauna, David (Stephanie) Jablonski, Sheboygan, Barbara (Paul) Peterson, Rockford, Illinois, John (Erin) Jablonski, Weston, Mary (Tyler) Raeder, Gaylord, Michigan, 17 grandchildren, siblings, Rita (Paul) Ponschke, Chicago, Ron (Mary) Jablonski, Corbin, Kentucky, brother-in-law, Mark (Nancy) Gross, Stevens Point and sister-in-law, Betsy Gross, Mesa, Arizona. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his father and mother-in-law, Francis and Gretchen Gross and a brother-in-law, Rev. Stephen Gross.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, at St. Michael Catholic Church, Wausau. Rev. Msgr. Mark Pierce will preside. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Visitation for family and friends will be on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Norma Brenden
Norma M. Brenden, 77, Weston, died Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, at Ascension Saint Clare’s Hospital, Weston.
She was born March 11, 1941, in Birnamwood, daughter of the late Earl and Margaret (Clause) Vaughn. On Oct. 28, 1964, she married Oscar J. Brenden in Waukegan, Illinois. He preceded her in death on May 1, 1995.
Norma worked at Marathon Electric in Wausau for 27 years until her retirement. She was an avid Green Bay Packers fan and NASCAR fan.
Survivors include four children, Barbara (Kevin) Schubring, Ron (Connie) Brenden, Donald (Deborah) Vaughn, all of Wausau and Kenneth (Shelly) Brenden, Tomahawk; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Roberta Halkoski, Schofield and Audrey Buchkowski, Bevent; one brother, Dale (Suzie) Vaughn, Antigo; and many nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents and husband, Oscar, she was preceded in death by five siblings.
Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 29, 2018, at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau. Burial will be at Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Elaine Ehlert
Elaine Ann Ehlert, 82, Wausau, died Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, at The Bay at Colonial Manor, Wausau.
Elaine was born May 18, 1936, on the family farm near Neillsville, Wisconsin, to the late Carl and Gertrude (Lang) Ehlert. She is a graduate of Wausau High School and performed clerical duties in the supply department for Wausau Insurance for 28 years.
Elaine was a kind woman who lived life on her own terms and mostly liked to keep to herself. She was a devoted member of Trinity Lutheran Church for much of her life and enjoyed singing in the church choir. In her free time, Elaine liked to read and watch old movies and in years past, go camping with her parents.
Elaine is survived by her siblings, Betty Zerbel, Carol (LeRoy) Olloff and David Ehlert; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. She is preceded in death by her sisters, Erma Ehlert and Lois Fitzwater.
The memorial service for Elaine will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, at Helke Funeral Home, Wausau. Mr. Phil Larson will officiate. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home on Saturday. Inurnment will be at Restlawn Memorial Park at a later date. Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements; you may sign our family guestbook at helke.com.
Memorials in Elaine’s memory may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church (501 Stewart Ave., Wausau, WI 54401).
A heartfelt word of appreciation goes to the nurses and staff of The Bay at Colonial Manor for their compassionate care for Elaine over the past 4 ½ months.
George Guenther
George T. Guenther 92, Schofield, passed away peacefully on Oct. 22, 2018, at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born to the late Charles and Laura Whaley Guenther on July 25, 1926, in Knowlton, Wisconsin.
His father died two months before he was born, but it was the love of his mother and brothers and sister that sustained him and made him into the kind and caring man he became. He enlisted in the Merchant Marines during World War II. After the war, he met Mary Marcel on a roller-skating blind date at the Rothschild Pavilion. They married in 1952 and celebrated 63 years of together and raised seven children. She was the love of his life.
He was a professional residential/commercial painter for over 40 years. He loved his family and most of all the history of Guenther/Marcell ancestry. Together Mary and he spent years researching the genealogy of their families back to the 17th century. He was so happy to share all that he found with his family. One of his fondest memories was having the privilege of partaking in the Never Forgotten Honor Flight.
His first comment when he got off the plane at CWA was, “This was one of the best days of my life!” He shared a love of travel and all things aviation and a good old fashion around the campfire with family and friends. He taught us, as long as you work hard, you deserve to play hard. But most of all, he taught us to love our family and love them fiercely. Our father taught us the true meaning of devotion and love caring for our mother at home for over 10 years as she fought Alzheimer’s. He never complained, and only wanted the very best for her.
He is survived by his children; George (Carol) Guenther, Puyallup, Washington, Anne (Donald) Greenwood, Mosinee, Wisconsin, James (Colleen) Guenther, McDonough, Georgia, Laurie (Thomas) Knoedler, Eagan, Minnesota, William Guenther (Paula), Schofield, Wisconsin, and Brian (Lisa) Guenther, DeBary, Florida, along with 18 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Donald Guenther, Knowlton, brothers in law, Kenneth O’Malley and James Smith and a sister-in-law, Mary Jane Marcell.
He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary, one son, Johnny, and siblings Milton, Cornelius and Lucille. The family wishes to thank Ascension Hospice for their kind and loving care of George during his final days.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, Oct. 29, 2018, at St. Therese Catholic Church, 113 W. Kort St., Rothschild, Wisconsin. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until time of Mass at 11 a.m. with Fr. Louis Britto officiating.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Never Forgotten Honor Flight, neverforgottenhonorflight.com/. John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences maybe expressed at www.HonorOne.com.
Joseph Shonka
Joseph Richard Shonka, 77, was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Parish and resident of Wisconsin Rapids. He received last rites as his cancer rapidly progressed and passed away peacefully in the presence of his family on Oct. 19, 2018. He was clothed in the brown scapular of Our Lady.
Joseph was born in Gary, Indiana, to the late Adolph and Anna (Strizak) Shonka. He attended Holy Trinity Elementary School in Gary and then St. Mary’s in Crown Point, Indiana. His high school years were spent attending St. Procopius Academy in Lisle, Illinois. He started his college years at St. Procopius College, also in Lisle, Illinois, but finished his studies at Indiana University where he was awarded a bachelor’s degree in economics.
His career experiences included dairy farming; teaching sixth grade at St. Mary’s School in Griffith, Indiana; Rex Chainbelt (RexNord); Pontiac Chair Co.; then started a long career in insurance sales with Columbia National Life Insurance Co., Blue Cross/Blue Shield, AMPI, K.B.B., and finally Allstate Insurance Co. He was a top sales producer, earning him many awards and incentives. He always loved to travel about and meet new people. In 1998, Joe got his CDL and became an over the road truck driver. He most recently drove for Dan Glodowski Trucking, out of Rosholt, Wisconsin, up until March 2018.
Joseph was a talented musician, having been an accomplished violinist at an early age. He enjoyed the privilege of performing on live television at age 15. Joseph, his parents and siblings all became lay oblates of St. Benedict at St. Procopius Abbey. He also was an avid boater and loved hunting and fishing. He was gifted with talents to fix anything. His life experience of growing up around farming allowed him to develop skills in many areas such as mechanics, building and designing. There was never a job too difficult for Joe. Those who knew him well, described him as being kind hearted and generous, in addition to having a brilliant mind, great sense of humor and above-average patience.
Joseph is survived by his wife, Catherine (Bredlau) Shonka; siblings, Theresa (Michael) Palmer, Colorado. Bernadette Shonka (Ret.); his daughters, Jennie (Carel) Koch, Christine (Daren) Mazier, Laura (Paul) Baynes, and Carol-Jo Shonka; step-daughters, Lori Ann Stetsor and Renae Sigall; his nephew, Mikey (Amy) Palmer; his grandchildren, Stephanie, Paul, Mary, Colleen, Matthew, Adam, Katrina, Kyle, Emily, Anika, Claire; and great grandchildren.
Services will be held at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Wisconsin Rapids on Friday, Oct. 26, 2018. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. with Mass at 11 a.m.. All attendees are invited to join us for a luncheon at the parish following Mass.
The family wishes to thank Arborview Court and Ascension Health Hospice for care and support as well at the St. Vincent de Paul Community for prayers and outreach over the last couple of months.
The John J. Buettgen Funeral Home/Mid-Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting the family. For online condolences, please visit www.HonorOne.com.
