Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Verlette Marquardt
Verlette L. Marquardt, 84, of Wausau passed away at St. Clare’s Hospital on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018. Her husband Raymond passed away just a month before on Oct. 13.
Verlette was born in Wausau on Nov. 20, 1933, to the late Ervin and Gertrude (Beilke) Brandenburg.
She was a homemaker on the family farm and was a dedicated office employee at Marathon Electric for 25 years. Verlette was a life-long member of Trinity Church and loved praising the Lord through music. She loved playing the organ at church, later being a member of the senior choir and the handbell choir. She was also a member of the Ladies Aid and Welfare Workers.
She and Ray loved to travel out West camping. She shared her faith with family and friends, and had a great love for her Lord.
Verlette was a loving mother and wife of 65 years and is survived by four children, Raymond (Sharon) Marquardt, Mark (Trish) Marquardt, Glenn Marquardt, Cynthia (Dennis) Gast. They have seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. She also is survived by her sister Marlys Zemke.
She is preceded in death by her parents Ervin and Gertrude Brandenburg.
A funeral will be held Saturday, Nov. 17, at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 501 Stewart Ave. Wausau. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church. A meal will be provided after services, with burial following at Pine Grove Cemetery.
The family would like to thank all the staff at Colonial Manor and St. Clare’s for their loving care and support.
Brainard Funeral Home – Wausau Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.brainardfuneral.com.
Henry Ahrens
Henry Paul Ahrens, 84, went to spend eternity with his beloved wife of 57 years, Elizabeth “Liz,” on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018. Henry went to his heavenly home on the Ahrens family farm surrounded by his loving family.
Henry was born on March 2, 1934, in the town of Cassel; he is the son of the late Walter and Frances Ahrens. On June 19, 1954, Henry married the love of his life, Liz Schult, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in the town of Maine. Together Henry and Liz started their family on the Ahrens homestead, where they raised six children, 17 foster children, and watched their family grow with grandchildren and great grandchildren. When it came to Henry’s family, he would do anything for them.
Henry was proud to be a lifelong dairy farmer, milking cows until 2016. In his early years, Henry held many titles, including the local Mr. Fix-it, milk hauler, Renk corn dealer and bartender at Poplar Tree Ballroom. Besides farming, Henry’s favorite job was driving a school bus, which he did for 37 years for the Marathon School District before retiring in 2010. All of the children enjoyed having Henry as a driver, so much so they would fight over who got to ride in his bus.
After a long day working on the farm, whether it be milking cows, working on a John Deere tractor or bailing hay, Henry could be found on the front porch or around the kitchen table with his family and friends enjoying polka music, a slice of cheese and a cold beer. The walls of their home will long echo with life lessons and Henry’s many stories, all told with a childlike sideways grin and a twinkle in his eyes. Some lessons learned: You could never go wrong with a Ford truck or a John Deere tractor. If you’re not feeling well, work a bit harder. Almost anything can be fixed with a bit of baler twine and ingenuity. Henry also enjoyed attending toy shows and collecting toy tractors, preferably John Deere.
Survivors include his children, Roger (Janet), Kenneth (Kathleen), Nancy, Mark (Kathy), Brian (Ann) and Leon (Connie) all of Marathon, Wisconsin. He also is survived by his grandchildren, Jodi (Chris) Langenhahn, Jami (Frank) Lotharius, Autumn (Steve) Stelzl, Sarah Fink (Chad Fischer), Carrie (Willie) Albrecht, Scott Fink, Melissa (Derek) Wilichowski, Matt (Jackie) Ahrens, Kellie (Garrett) Carr, Adam (Tiffany) Ahrens and David Ahrens; as well as 11 great grandchildren; two step great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; special foster daughter, Charlotte (Bill) Mihalek and his favorite dog “Buster.”
Beside his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Liz Ahrens; sisters, Laura Liebers, Dorothy Woller, and Adeline Moser and his brother Ervin Ahrens.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 16, 2018, at St. Matthew’s Evangelical Church, 206 Hemlock St., Marathon. The Rev. Jon Hadler will officiate. Visitation will be held Thursday, Nov. 15 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and again on Friday, Nov. 16 from 9 a.m. until the time of services, all to take place at the church. Burial will follow at St. Matthew’s Cemetery.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation for the staff at Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services, especially Shelly for her support and assistance.
Arlene Stencil
Arlene Stencil, 82, of Edgar passed away peacefully at the Aspirus Hospice House on Nov. 11, 2018.
Arlene was born July 28, 1936, to Edward and Stella (Zaleski) Knoll. She grew up with her brothers and sisters on their family farm, graduated high school (1954) and was married June 29, 1957, to Antone “Wally” Stencil at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Stratford.
Arlene and her husband embraced the life of dairy farmers for many years. She enjoyed playing card games (especially sheepshead), gardening and putting together puzzles. Among the things she enjoyed, spending her time with family, friends and at the family cabin were always her favorite.
Survivors include her husband, Wally; sons, Alan Stencil of Edgar, Dale Stencil of Edgar, Brian (Susan) Stencil of Marathon, and Kevin Stencil of Wausau; grandchildren, Melissa (Michael) Janke of Marathon, Eric Stencil of Mosinee, Jacob Stencil of Marshfield; and great-grandchild, Owen Janke.Arlene is further survived by her siblings, Pat (Floyd) Hamus of Marshfield, Benny (Rhonda) Knoll of Stratford, Allie (Diane) Knoll of Stratford; as well as many nephews, nieces and cousins.
Preceding Arlene in death are her parents, Edward and Stella; daughter, Tammy Hornung; siblings, Florann, Eddie, Clem, Jerry Knoll, Annette Raschke; infant brother, Edwin; and son-in-law, Kevin Hornung.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated at noon Monday, Nov. 19, 2018, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Edgar, with Rev. Thomas Huff presiding. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
The Mid-Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting the family.
