Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Neil Olson
Neil Edward Olson was born May 26, 1926, and passed on Nov. 7, 2018. He served in the United States Army and received an Honorable Discharge. After the military, he worked at Northern Welding Supply for several years. He then worked for 27 years driving the city bus. Throughout his life, he also worked part time as a diesel mechanic.
He loved listening to sports in the garage with his boys and went deer hunting every year with his youngest son. He also loved his dogs and working in his garden and the neighbors enjoyed the fruits of his labor. After he retired, he would snow blow the neighbors’ sidewalks as the men of the households were off working. He would tease the women saying that he used to take care of the neighborhood widows.
Neil made national headlines when he was featured in an article about having his Christmas tree up since 1974 and kept it there until he could celebrate the holiday with all of his children.
Neil is survived by sons, Bar and his wife, Sarah, Jerry and his wife, Sharon, Jimmy, Johnny, Joey and his wife, Peggy, and Richie.
There will be no services at this time.
Beatrice Radenz
Beatrice Radenz, 87, Wausau, died peacefully on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, at Our House Assisted Living, Wausau, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.
Beatrice was born on Nov. 21, 1930, in the town of Eau Pleine to Edward and Regina (Adams) Meyer. She married Earl Radenz on Feb. 5, 1951, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Wausau. As a young bride, she followed Earl to his Army posts in Missouri, Texas and New Jersey. Their love and devotion to each other was evident to all. Earl died Feb. 29, 1976.
Mom was a strong, giving, compassionate Christian woman who lived a life filled with faith and love for her family and friends. Her sense of humor gave joy to all. Mom loved to sing and recite the poems she had learned as a youth. On her own, she maintained the family home at 425 and made it the center for gatherings. She set the standard high for us on how to be a wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother, relative and friend.
She will be greatly missed by her daughters, Cathy (Craig) Flagel, Karen (Richard) Schroeder and Chris (Ted) Byrne, daughter-in-law, Cindy Radenz, grandchildren, Jason Flagel, Jenny Flagel, Beth Seavers, Bill (Kristen) Harper, Cassie Harper, Zach Jaeger, Brianna Radenz and Alexis Phaneuf and by 10 great-grandchildren. In addition, she leaves behind her brother, Edward “Sweepy” Meyer, sister, Mae Allain, sister-in-law, Bernie Meyer, special nephew, Rick Meyer, as well as many beloved nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her son, Thomas and seven siblings.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018, at The Church of St. Anne, Wausau. Rev. Tom Lindner will preside. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Friends may call on Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Church of St. Anne.
The family would like to thank the staff and caregivers at Our House and Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services for their gentle and loving care of Mom.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Gerhardt Holtz
Gerhardt L. Holtz, 89, of the town of Stettin passed away on Nov. 8, 2018, at Wausau Manor with his wife and daughter at his side. He was born on Oct. 27, 1929, in Wausau the son of the late Ernest and Edna (Raddatz) Holtz. On Aug. 18, 1962, he married Elaine R. Erdman at Trinity Lutheran Church, Wausau.
Gerhardt farmed most of his life taking over the family farm and passing it down to his children. He enjoyed working around the farm and liked to do wood working projects in his free time.
He is survived by his wife, Elaine; daughter, Ruth Holtz; two grandchildren, Evan and Chloe Holtz; two sisters, Velma (Stanley) Schultz and Doris (Raymond) Zunker; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Paul; brother, Gilbert; and a sister, Viola Seidler.
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 501 Stewart Ave., Wausau, with the Rev. Zach Holdorf officiating. Family and friends may call beginning at 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Burial will follow in the Rib View Cemetery, town of Stettin. You may sign the family guest book at helke.com.
David Leiberg
David W. Leiberg, 82, of Mosinee passed away on Thursday, Nov, 8, 2018, at home.
He was born on Feb. 22, 1936, in Algoma to the late Wayne and Evanda (Jenkins) Leiberg, and was a graduate of high school in Green Bay. He went on to serve in the U.S. Army. On Dec. 9, 1957, he was married to Judith Fabel in Las Vegas.
Following his military service, Wayne went to work as a patrolman for the Los Angeles Police Dept. At the time of his retirement, he was a Detective II for LAPD. In 1982, he moved back to Wisconsin.
He enjoyed camping, watching the Green Bay Packers and beer.
Survivors include his daughter, Stacie (Sean) Trumblay; three grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and his twin brother, Donald (Roberta) Leiberg. In addition to his parents, David was preceded in death by his wife, Judith.
A celebration of life visitation will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018, at the John J. Buettgen Funeral Home, 948 Grand Ave. in Schofield.
Nancy Paepke
Nancy Jean Paepke, 57, of Wisconsin Rapids passed away to be with her Lord and Savior on Nov. 8, 2018, following a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer.
Nancy was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin, on March 19, 1961, to the late Willard W. Paepke and Harriet T. Paepke. Nancy attended Castle Rock Grade School and was a 1979 graduate of Adams-Friendship High School.
While in high school, Nancy enjoyed playing basketball and softball and was active in 4-H activities.
Nancy married Robert Jasek in 1981, which ended in divorce. Nancy was an avid Packers fan, loved her cat, Jenna, and loved attending services at her church where she made many wonderful friends.
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Willard and Harriet Paepke. She is survived by her sister, Mary (Bob) Weichert, Friendship; brother, Billy (Dee) Paepke, Sheboygan; brother, Arnold Paepke, Adams; niece, Jessica (Brad) Brogley, Platteville; nephew, Joshua Laquee, Milwaukee; nephew, Cody Paepke, Wisconsin Dells; niece Kayla Paepke, Adams; great-niece and nephew, Jenna and Matt Brogley, Platteville.
Family and friends are invited to meet at Faith Baptist Church, Wisconsin Rapids, on Monday, Nov. 19, 2018. Visitation will be at 11 a.m. with a memorial service at noon, with Pastor Stephen C. Steinmetz officiating. A luncheon will follow.
The John J. Buettgen Funeral Home/Mid-Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting the family.
Craig Damp
Craig Morton Damp, 71, of Milwaukee died on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, at Select Specialty Hospital, Greenfield.
He was born on June 4, 1947, in Wausau, the son of the late Dr. Orville and Donna (Morton) Damp.
Craig was a 1965 graduate of Birnamwood High School and was a member of the marching band. He then attended the University of Wisconsin Extension and then a business school in Milwaukee. Craig was employed by M & I and BMO Harris Bank as a teller and was an international banker.
Survivors include three sisters, Pat (Leroy London) Steckbauer of Antigo, Bonnie (Scott) Skodinski of Kaukauna and Susan (Roger) Knight of Wausau, and several nieces and nephews.
Craig was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Orville and Donna Damp. A celebration of life will be held from noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018, at Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Birnamwood, followed by a time of sharing memories at 2 p.m. Burial will be in Forest Cemetery, Birnamwood.
Alma Jung
Alma Gertrude (Hentschel) Jung lived a long, active life of 97 years and died peacefully surrounded by her son and daughter-in-law. During the latter portion of her life, she was grateful to live independently in her home near her son’s family in Charlotte, North Carolina.
She was born on Dec. 7, 1920, the daughter of the late Max and Ella (Teichen) Hentschel. Alma was raised on a small dairy farm in Birnamwood, Wisconsin, along with her four sisters and one brother. From early childhood, Alma had a sharp, inquisitive mind and loved going to school and studying academics. Alma was also feisty, stubborn, and very independent, and always had a mind of her own. Her sisters told the story that when Alma was walking home from school, she would plop down on her lunch pail, stomp her feet and declare, “No one moves now because Dad said we have to all stay together.” Unfortunately, her Dad grew wise to her mischief and one day witnessed this entire event while hiding behind the bushes. After Dad was done with her, she never sat down and stomped her feet on her lunch pail again.
As she got older, Alma left the farm and moved to Milwaukee with her sister Harriet. During the day, she would do precision factory machining work and in the evenings she would attend night school to improve her career through education. In Milwaukee, she met her husband Joe on a blind date and finally got married after dating many years. In 1963, they had a son, Gregory Mark and in 1968 they moved to Maryland where Joe worked as a technical instructor for NASA. During this time, Alma began her career as an H&R Block tax consultant and worked her way up the ranks to become the executive tax office manager, with an extremely loyal client following. She also developed a passion for golf and played several times a week. In 1994, she moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, to be closer to her son and his new family. She helped the elderly as a volunteer library tax preparer and continued to play golf and bridge weekly. Alma was also a talented seamstress and baker. When asked how she learned these skills so well, she would chuckle and say, “It was the only way to get out of working in the fields and milking cows on the farm every day.”
Alma’s life is a legacy of education. Not only did she put herself through school, she also helped with the educational expenses of her sister, her husband, her son, and both her granddaughters. She was also an expert tax instructor and taught many advanced tax classes at H&R Block. Her influence and impact in this area is truly appreciated and cherished by all who worked with her.
Alma was a very loving and nurturing mother, grandmother and mother-in-law, and was a patient teacher who was selfless with her time. Alma enjoyed many hours of reading and playing games with her young grandchildren. She was also their greatest supporter and faithfully attended their numerous basketball and soccer games (even in the freezing cold and pouring rain). Her grandchildren have fond memories of baking cookies with her and eating their fill of ‘health ice cream’ at her house.
Alma will be remembered for the deep love she had for her family. She willingly gave her time, talents and energy and showed love and compassion to those around her. We’ve been truly blessed to have someone who was always there for us, cheered us on, and loved us so deeply. Alma, thank you for brightening our lives for so many years with your kindness. We’re grateful for all you’ve done and you’ll be dearly remembered.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Greg (Denni) Jung and granddaughters, Laura and Grace Jung and sister Dorothy Defferding.
Alma was preceded in death by her parents, Max and Ella Teichen and siblings, Arthur Hentschel, Harriet Sturzenegger, Virgina Pietz and Florence Peterson.
A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, at Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Birnamwood. Rev. Amy Perron will officiate. Interment will be in Forest Cemetery, Birnamwood. Visitation will be on Saturday from noon until the time of service at the funeral home.
