Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Brian Smith
Brian Smith passed away peacefully at home with his loving family by his side.
Brian was born in Plantation, Florida, the only child of Dave and Joann Smith. He spent his early childhood in Florida before moving to Wisconsin. He went to school in Wisconsin Rapids and then attended UWSP and UWGB.
Brian is survived by his loving parents and many aunts, uncles and cousins. He will be remembered for his infectious smile, sense of humor and ability to talk to everyone. He was the “Ideas Guy” who shared his ideas with so many hoping to improve things without taking any credit for his suggestions.
Brian loved listening to and playing music and sharing it with friends. Over the years, he enjoyed all his time spent with family and friends in cars, trucks, Corvettes, motorcycles, snowmobiles, ATVs and personal watercraft.
His amazing talents and attention to detail enabled him to work in a variety of fields, including on-air disc jockey, banking services, sales, website development, public relations, communications and marketing services, along with supporting the fun products offered by Bombardier Recreational Products. He held a wide variety of positions and excelled at everything he did.
In his short 44 years, he had an amazing life traveling to many parts of the United States and Canada and creating many happy family memories.
Brian was preceded in death by his grandparents, Stanley and Mildred Glumac of Duluth, Minnesota, and Edgar and Mary Smith of Proctor, Minnesota.
Friends and family are invited to attend a Memorial Service and Celebration of Brian’s life on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. with a service beginning at 6 p.m. at Brainard Funeral Home in Weston.
The family would like to thank so many of the staff at Aspirus, Wausau, for their friendship and caring. Brian brought smiles to them with his humor, stories and knowledge, but they all touched his life in so many ways and he was so appreciative of their friendships and amazing care.
Larry King
Larry J. King, 56, Wausau, died Nov. 1, 2018, at his home.
Larry was born May 28, 1962, in Chicago, Illinois, to Shirley King. The second youngest of six boys, Larry graduated from the school of “Hard Knocks” as he entered the work force full-time after the ninth grade. A truly gifted and hardworking stone mason, Larry was never afraid of hard work or to get his hands dirty.
He prided himself on his children and family. He was that person who never knew a stranger and could make friends with anyone. He never had everything he wanted but would give you the shirt off his back. He loved the Chicago skyline as he has put so many of his personal touches into the brickwork, such as the Fine Arts Building on Michigan Avenue and the old Sears Tower. He was always that person who knew what song we were listening to, in the first five seconds and would sing all the lyrics to the entire song.
Besides his mother Shirley, Larry is survived by his six children; Laura (Eric) Schneider, Thomas King, Jonathan (Colleen) King, Richard King, Christine King, and Shannon Walker; eight grandchildren, Benjamin, Cheyanne, Nikoli, Isaiah, Onnalayah, John, Shaniah, Saffiya; five brothers, Steve (Suzanne) King, Jeff King, Mark (Dina) King, Mike King, and Robbie King; as well as seven nieces and nephews, Chrissy, Mark, Markam, Joanne, Edward, Michele, and Jenny. Larry was preceded in death by one son, Christopher King.
A memorial service for Larry will take place at 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9, 2018, at Brainard Funeral Home Everest Chapel, 5712 Memorial Court, Weston, Wisconsin. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until the time of service, all at the funeral home. Online condolences can be made at www.brainardfuneral.com.
Memorials in Larry’s name may be directed to the family.
Kurt Reissmann
Kurt William Reissmann, 36, Arbor Vitae, formerly of Wausau, went to his final resting place in the early hours of Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018.
Kurt was born on Aug. 3, 1982, in Wausau.
Kurt is survived by his parents, Diana (Kurt) Stoeger, Michael (Colleen) Reissmann, children, Zachariah, Nolan and Vivian, sister, Lisa Reissmann, grandparents, Donald and Vivian Reissmann, step siblings, Holly, Amanda and Kurt Stoeger, Troy and Nicholas Hamm and their families along with many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends.
A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, at the Peterson/Kraemer funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau. The Rev. Joy Nelson Jeffers will officiate. Visitation will be from noon until the time of services all at the Sixth Street funeral home. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Kurt’s name.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Stanley Riste
Stanley R. Riste, 90, died Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
He was born Aug. 24, 1928, in Wausau, son of the late Sidney and Rose (Lenard) Riste. On Oct. 14, 1950, he married Lorraine Riste at St. James Catholic Church, Wausau. She preceded him in death on Dec. 29, 2012.
Stanley served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict and worked for 33 years at Weyerhaeuser Paper Mill, retiring in 1990. He was active in the community volunteering at the Aging and Disability Resource Center, helping build homes for Habitat for Humanity and serving as treasurer for the local Chapter for Equitable Reserve Association. He also was a longtime volunteer of the Wausau East Booster Club. Some of his hobbies included hunting, fishing and woodworking.
Survivors include his children, Douglas (Christine) Riste, Weston, Debra Rhyner, California, Daniel (Beth) Riste, Merrill, Diane (John) Stasiak, Plymouth and Donna Johnson, Fond du Lac; nine grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, step great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Ken Dvorak, Wausau; sister-in-law, Nancy Schmieden, Elkhorn, many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents and wife, Lorraine, he was preceded in death by two sons-in-law, David Rhyner and Gerard Johnson, one brother, Richard Riste and two sisters, Joyce Schmieden and Margaret Dvorak.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 9, 2018, at the Church of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Wausau. Rev. Msgr. Mark Pierce will preside. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Visitation will be Friday from 9 a.m. until the time of services all at the church.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Palliative Care Unit at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Betty Plaza-Machel
Betty Jane M. Plaza-Machel, 92, passed away during a restful sleep while surrounded by her family on Nov. 2, 2018, in Wausau after an illness.
She was preceded in death by her first husband Walter, her son Rodney, her parents and siblings, and her sons-in-law, Jack Corvino and Mark Wojan.
She is survived by her husband Emil (Bud) Machel, her children Sandra (Dennis) Stern, Phyllis Corvino, Sue (Mike) Barnes, James (Barb) Plaza, Shelley Wojan, and Kevin (Lorie) Plaza, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
Betty Jane was born at home at Wausau on Dec. 30, 1925. Betty Jane married her first love Walter M. Plaza on March 6, 1948, in Wausau, and her later life love Emil (Bud) Machel on June 25, 1994, in Wausau.
Known for a kind story, a quick wit, innumerable recipes, and a loving lap for grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, Betty Jane will be missed by all that knew her and memories of her life will be cherished. She was surrounded by an ocean of love.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, at Zion Lutheran Church, Wausau. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Visitation will be Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services, all at Zion Lutheran Church, Wausau.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established.
Walter Tamminen
Walter Tamminen, 90, of Wausau passed away on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, at Wausau Manor.
He was born June 3, 1928, in Amasa, Michigan, to the late Walter and Lily (Hillson) Tamminen. Walt grew up in Crystal Falls, Michigan, and after graduating from high school enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served his country at the end of World War II and was proud of being able to go on an Honor Flight trip to Washington. After the service, Walt was a computer programmer at the Great Lakes Training Center in Waukegan, Illinois, where he met the love of his life, Marilyn Elfering. On Sept. 2, 1950, Walt and Marilyn were married at St. Gilbert’s Catholic Church, Grays Lake, Illinois. They moved back to Crystal Falls with Walt working at Inland Steel. He later graduated with a degree in computer programming from Northern Michigan University. The family then moved to Wausau where Walt worked as a computer programmer at Connor Forest Industries. He later worked at Wausau Homes until his retirement in 1990. In his retirement, Walt loved his maintenance job at Forest Park Village.
Walt was an avid reader, he had an insatiable curiosity about nature. Whether it was walking in the woods, digging for mineral specimens for his collection or experiencing his greatest pleasure as a “birder,” Walt was passionate about the outdoors.
Survivors include his wife, Marilyn of Wausau, four children, Walter (Vicki) Jr. of Dallas, Texas, Robert (Susan) of Jacksonville, Florida, Marianne (Michael Atkins) Tamminen of Hudson, Kathryn (Mark) Huddleston of Chicago, eight grandchildren, five great grandchildren, two brothers, Glenn (Jean) of Black River Falls, Donald of Appleton and four sisters, Carol (Byron) Galbraith, Doris (Russell) Oss and Betty Ann (Ray) Niemi all of Crystal Falls, Michigan, and Joanne (Roger) Sartori of Manistique, Michigan. Walter was preceded in death by a sister, Karen and sister-in-law, Frances.
Funeral services will be 11:30 a.m., Friday, Nov. 9, 2018, at Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce St., Wausau. Reverend Sid Bouldin will officiate. Following the service, full military honors will be presented by the VFW Burns Post #388. At a later date, burial will take place at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, Crystal Falls, Michigan. Visitation will be Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the funeral home.
Mavis Boettcher
Mavis Elliot Boettcher, 92, of Wausau passed away on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, at North Central Health Care. She was born to the late Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Dumdei on Sept. 10, 1926, in Wausau.
She graduated from Wausau East High School in 1944 and went on to receive her Bachelor of Education degree from U.W. Stevens Point. Mavis also attended U.W. Eau Claire for post grad work. While attending school in Stevens Point, she was a member of the Tau Gamma Beta Sorority, Delta Gamma and the glee club. Mavis began her teaching career in Minneapolis, remained for two years, and then moved back to Wausau as a first-grade teacher. She taught at G.D. Jones, Longfellow, and finished her career at Hawthorne Hills. A total of 37 years teaching and influencing many students.
In 1959, she married Carl J. Boettcher at Zion Lutheran Church, Wausau.
Mavis was actively involved in the Wausau Education Association and was a member of the WEA and the NEA. She held a board of directors position at Community Credit Union for 16 years, including a year as chairwoman. After her retirement in 1988, she became a member of the Wausau Federated Women’s Club and served as social chairwomen for many years. She also became a member of the Wisconsin Retired Educators Association and the Marathon County Educators Association. Mavis was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Wausau, for 60 years where she taught Sunday School and was on the Zion School Board for a short time.
Mavis enjoyed her family and spending time at the summer home on Post Lake. Along with Carl and loving poodle, Jacques, they would cruise the lake and enjoy summertime on the water. She enjoyed time entertaining friends at the lake or at the Wausau Country Club, where they were members for many years. Carl and Mavis loved to travel and cruised to the Baltic Sea and Caribbean. They visited Portugal, Scotland, London and Mexico. Together they spent many springs at their favorite resort at St. Pete’s Beach, Florida, and enjoyed many hours birdwatching.
Survivors include her husband, Carl; daughter, Judy (Paul) Henning; niece, Barbara (John) Benecke of DePere; nephew, Mark Zimmerman of Austin, Texas; and grandniece, Mazzy and grandnephew, Arthur, both of Austin, Texas.
She was preceded in death by her parents and sister and brother-in-law, Joyce (Karl) Zimmerman.
A funeral service will be at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, at Zion Lutheran Church, Wausau, with Rev. Steven Gjerde officiating. Family and friends may call beginning at 2 p.m. until the time of service at the church. Burial will follow in Mechanics Ridge Cemetery, town of Wausau.
Micah Fischer
Micah Fischer, 26, of Schofield passed away Sunday, Nov. 4, due to complications related to type 1 diabetes, leaving family and friends heartbroken. He was a treasured son, brother, uncle, cousin and nephew, a beautiful young man who worked hard, played hard and loved deeply.
He was a true independent, forging his own path, and utterly genuine, comfortable in his own skin. He was humble, keeping quiet about his countless acts of kindness to family and friends, and he was loyal, going the extra mile with any promise he ever made.
Micah was passionate about the outdoors. He loved rodeo and horses, hunting and fishing, the family cabin, the Northwoods and his dog Ruby. He loved babies, he loved laughing, and he loved putting a smile on the face of those around him. He was loved right back.
Micah was born in Wadena, Minnesota, on June 9, 1992, to Randy Fischer and Joanne Koepp. He was just 3 when the family moved to Schofield, Wisconsin, where he grew up to excel in wrestling above all, but also football and baseball, at D.C. Everest High School. He was playful and tenderhearted, a great role model, supportive of his sister, protective of his younger brothers, generous, never demanding.
He lived with a determination that diabetes would not keep him from doing what he wanted. He had just started a job he loved and was living with a new level of excitement: our beloved Micah definitely went out on a high note.
Micah, who was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Kronenwetter, is survived by his mother Joanne Koepp, father Randy Fischer, sister Hannah, brothers Isaac and Caleb and grandmother Betty Fischer.
He was predeceased by his grandparents Reinhard and Helen Koepp and Orville Fischer. He will be missed by the entire Fischer and Koepp clans, as well as by friends far and wide who loved him dearly.
We will celebrate his life on Nov. 14, with visitation from 4 to 6 p.m. with a small service at 6 p.m. with Pastor Dave Karlous officating, at Buettgen Funeral Home, 948 Grand Ave., Schofield.
Micah’s generosity continues, even in death, as through his body he gives the gift of life to others with health challenges.
And so, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts to the American Diabetes Association, 375 Bishops Way, Brookfield, WI 53005.
John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting the family at this time.
Bradley Grell
Bradley E. Grell, 34, of Oak Creek, Wisconsin, passed away Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, at Aurora South Shore Hospital in Cudahy, Wisconsin, after a brief illness.
Bradley was born Sept. 27, 1984, to Steven and Barbara Grell. He was a graduate of Wausau East High School in 2003, University of Wisconsin Madison in 2007, and Marquette Law School in 2011. Bradley was an associate attorney at Sperling Law offices in Milwaukee.
He was preceded in death by his grandmothers, Marion Grell and Bertilla Czech; and uncle, Kurt Grell.
In addition to his parents, Bradley is survived by his brother, Eric Grell, Verona, Wisconsin; aunt, Kay (Dave) Rindfeisch, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin; cousins; his special dog, Augie; and many friends.
He enjoyed travel, Brewers games and family get-togethers.
Private services will be held at a later date.
The John J. Buettgen Funeral Home/Mid-Wisconsin Cremation Society are assisting the family.
Margo Flowers
Margo J. Flowers came crashing into this world with her magnetic personality, beautiful blue eyes and impeccable taste and style. Born to the late Ray and Mary Ann Zastrow, she was a force of nature. She had a quick wit and a clever come-back every time. In her teens, she worked at Heinemans and Winkelmans, and then as an EKG tech at Milwaulkee and Chicago hospitals. Her most enjoyable job was bartending at Hotel Wausau in the ’70s.
She then moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, and after 36 years she returned to Wausau to be near her beloved nephew Cody Kennedy and sister Candy Carranza, who both survive. Margo loved travelling, yard sales, Pepsi, Culvers, Burger King, “The Young and the Restless,” and “The Bold and the Beautiful.” She was always elegantly dressed, carrying a beautiful bag from her vast collection with matching shoes and jewelry from her meticulously organized closet in her lovingly decorated home.
Sadly, she left us on a sunny Saturday morning to shop the sales in heaven, with a Pepsi in hand. Farewell Margo, we will forever love you and keep you in our hearts. Until we meet again … .
The Mid-Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting the family.
Joseph Piech
Joseph T. Piech Sr., 86, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Nov. 2, 2018, at Mount View Care Center. Joe was born to the late Leon and Valeria (Duplaga) Piech on May 18, 1932. He married Dorothy (Slivicki) on Aug. 29, 1964; she preceded him in death on July 18, 2015. Together they had four children.
He loved playing cards, going to Ho Chunk Casino, polka music, Polish food, deer hunting, fishing, heading over to Wonsil’s for social hour and, most of all, being with his family and friends.
He is survived by his four children, Joseph (Julie) Piech Jr., Jeanette (Brian) Hardin, Leon (Victoria) Piech, and Lawrence (Lisa Dake) Piech. He had 11 grandchildren, Andrew, Kyle, Emily, Nathan, Brandi, Richard, Katelyn, Dylan, John, Matthew, and Aaron; nieces and nephews, Pamela, Francis, Wanda, Richard and Dorothy, along with many other family members and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy, siblings, Frank (Emily), Walter, Helen (Frank) Suwanski, Leona Phillips and two nephews, Stanley and William Phillips.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, at St. John Baptist (Peplin) Catholic Church 3308 Highway 153, Mosinee, Wisconsin, with Fr. Greg Bohren officiating. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until time of mass at 11 a.m.
John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting the family at this time. Online condolences maybe expressed at www.HonorOne.com.
Harley Dobbertin
Harley Theresa Dobbertin — Feb. 23, 1994 – Oct. 28, 2018
Do you ever just feel like nothing will ever be the same again? You just have that empty feeling in your heart? On Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018, our beautiful daughter Harley Theresa Dobbertin passed away unexpectedly at the young age of 24. I find comfort in knowing she is now with her grandparents, and that her two beautiful daughters are here to love and comfort us all. She loved her girls dearly, as we all do.
Harley graduated from Iola-Scandinavia High School and later attended technical college. In middle school, she wanted to become a veterinarian. She loved animals and even worked on a neighbor’s farm for a time. Later, her dreams gave way to wanting her own day care center. She loved children. She also loved music, even though she couldn’t dance. She looked like a robot in desperate need of repair (ask any of her friends). My partner and her were close, “besties” as she called it.
Harley is survived by her daughters, Evelyn and Cambria Mande; her mother, Dawn Marrero; her father, Billy Ray Manning; and uncles, aunts and cousins. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Charles and Jane Dobbertin.
Life can be full of problems for us all. I’m proud to say Harley was willing to work through her struggles as hard as they have been. I’m proud to call her my daughter. I love you so much, Harley, I miss you terribly – Love, Mom
A gathering of Harley’s family and friends will be held at Bootlegger’s in Amherst on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, at 1 p.m..
Mid-Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting the family at this time.
Betty Hafemann
Betty Lou Hafemann, 90, of Wittenberg passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, at her home under the care of her family and LeRoyer Hospice, Antigo.
She was born on Aug. 25, 1928, in Indiana, daughter of the late Leslie and Ella May (Roberts) Wesco.
Betty Lou was a homemaker and a loving mother to her seven children. She also was a den mother to the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts in Birnamwood. She was as member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Wittenberg and was a part of the Ladies Aid group there. She enjoyed making cakes, and even made all of her children’s wedding cakes.
Survivors include her four children, John W. (Renee) Smith of Wittenberg, Rita Kuik of Pulaski, Timothy (Angie) Briggs of Merrill and Terry (Karolyn) Briggs of Birnamwood; 13 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and one sister, June Kreigel of Oshkosh.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, Wilson Smith, Melvin Briggs and Warren Hafemann, three children, Ralph Smith, Jody Smith and Tom Briggs and four siblings.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 9, 2018, at Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home in Birnamwood. Rev. Matthew Christians will officiate. Interment will be in Forest Cemetery, Birnamwood. Visitation will be on Friday from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.
