Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Wayne Schoepke Sr.
Wayne Schoepke, Sr., Wausau, passed away Nov. 19, 2018, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital surrounded by his family.
He was born Feb. 1, 1935, to Donald and Viola Schoepke in Antigo, Wisconsin.
At a young age, the family moved to Marinette, where Wayne lived until his junior year of high school. In 1952, the family moved to Wausau, where he graduated in 1953.
Wayne enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1954 and was stationed at Forbes Air Force Base in Topeka, Kansas, where he fought the “Battle of Topeka,” as he called it, and ended his tour in 1958.
Wayne graduated on the dean’s list with a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Kansas in 1963. He then returned to Wausau to work in his father’s architectural office until his father’s retirement in 1971. At that time, Wayne continued the business. Where his father’s business featured schools, Wayne specialized in designing banks that are located all over northern Wisconsin.
Wayne married Elizabeth Gandy in June, 1959, in Kansas City. She preceded him in death in 1982. Together, they had three children- Beth Kaziak of Appleton; Tammie Schoepke of Wausau; and Wayne Schoepke, Jr. of Merrill. Wayne then married Ardus Beckman Stone and gained five additional children- Jamie Mancini of Burnsville, Minnesota; Terry Stone of Wausau; Patrick Stone of Wausau; Mark Stone of Wausau; and Tracy Stone of Mosinee.
A Master Mason and Shriner, Wayne was the first new Master Mason in the new Wausau Temple in 1975, which was designed by Wayne and his father.
Wayne’s favorite pastime was his “Hunting Shack” near Prentice, where he spent most of his extra time. He loved deer hunting and just being in the woods. He earned the name “Big Buck” from one of his grandchildren. Many years he would not shoot a deer because he was always on the lookout for that “Big One.”
In addition to his love of hunting, Wayne was an avid collector. His interest in collecting came from his mother. Wayne was especially interested in antique outboard motors and guns, but he saved everything. He was one of the founders of North Central Gun Collectors in Wausau and the Tomahawk Outboard Motor Shows. He is a past vice president of the National Organization for Motor Collector’s (Antique Outboard Motor Collectors, Inc).
Wayne is preceded in death by his parents; an infant son Donald Eddy; first wife Elizabeth Schoepke; and brothers Daniel Schoepke and Thomas Schoepke.
At Wayne’s request, a private celebration of his life will be held on July 4, 2019, at his hunting shack. Online condolences can be made at www.brainardfuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be sent to Lincoln County Humane Society, 310 N. Memorial Dr. Merrill, WI 54452.
Scott Barnett
Scott Randall Barnett, 58, died Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, at his home in Weston, Wisconsin.
Scott was a talented artist, which was evident in his paintings, carvings and even in the garden. He was known to spend time patiently mixing paints and sketching out artwork for his nieces to complete. Scott loved to spend time outside and could be easily convinced to play a little basketball in the hayloft with his nieces and nephews. He was a deeply devoted son and cared for his parents until their deaths.
Survivors include brothers Randy (Charlene) Barnett; Gary (Mary) Barnett; and Chris Barnett; sisters Cindy Barnett and Lori Vanney and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father William, mother Henrietta, and brothers Billy, Jim and Brian.
Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 26, 2018, at Brainard Funeral Home – Everest Chapel, 5712 Memorial Court, Weston.
Online condolences may be given at www.brainardfuneral.com.
David Proft
David L. Proft, 82, died Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
He was born Feb. 9, 1936, in Athens, son of the late Frank and Lorna (Mabbot) Proft. On July 25, 1959, he married Joyce Umnus at St. John Catholic Church, Edgar. She preceded him in death on May 16, 2009.
David served his country in the United States Marine Corps. during the 1950s. He joined National Cash Register (NCR) in 1959 and worked there for nearly 30 years prior to his retirement in the late 1980s. Initially, he was assigned to repairing cash registers. He worked his way up through the service department and ultimately managed all of the NCR service in the Chicago and Northern Illinois area. He enjoyed gardening, fishing trips to Canada and gambling every Tuesday with his friend, Marv and brother-in-law, Jr.
Survivors include his son, Bill (Mara) Proft; daughter, Mary (Kevin McKernan) Hironimus; grandchildren, Alicia and Phillip Proft and Christopher (Kindsey) Hironimus; great-granddaughter, Clara Joyce Hironimus; sister, Lynette Neu; brother, Phillip (Mara) Proft, other relatives and friends.
Besides his parents and wife, Joyce, he was preceded in death by a son, Larry, brother, Donnie and sister, Helen.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, at St. John Catholic Church, Edgar. Rev. Robert Streveler will preside. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of services, all at St. John Catholic Church, Edgar.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Edgar, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Marie Hustedt
Marie Hustedt, who was the matriarch of her family passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018, at Hospice House surrounded by her family at the age of 98.
Marie was born Feb. 1, 1920, in Marshfield to the late Henry and Rose (Bohman) Weigel. She married Omar Hustedt on June 23, 1945, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Marshfield. Marie was the consummate homemaker. She took great pride in taking care of her family and especially loved the times she spent with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Marie was a real homebody. She loved cutting the grass and having just enough annuals in the front of the house for color. The biggest love and commitment was her vegetable garden. She couldn’t rest until it was weed free and when she could start to preserve all the produce to feed the family or give it away to family, neighbors and friends. The kitchen was always lined up with her canning jars and Kerr lids from May until October. Some years, they never were put away! She could sew and mend anything and was always hemming or making alterations for many satisfied customers. She could reupholster sofas and chairs and make draperies, curtains and bedspreads. She loved being creative. Although, she was too modest to admit her wonderful talents.
Marie was a member of Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church. She had a huge faith in God and was always praying for everyone and prayed daily to keep her eyesight and memory. If she wasn’t praying, she was watching her favorite TV networks EWTN and CNN. Many times, seeing what horrific things happening in the world would give her more to pray for. It occupied many hours of her day!
She is survived by her children, Mary (Steven) Sleeter of Wausau, Douglas (Pam) Hustedt of Ft. Atkinson, Harlow (Jackie) Hustedt of Wausau, Keith (Sandrea Radtke) Hustedt of Rothschild, eight grandchildren, Lance (Chastity) Sleeter, Mason Sleeter, Megan (Brandt) Isakson, Joel (Katie) Hustedt, Kelsey (Gary) Volkman, Harry (Jacque) Hustedt, Mercedes (Patrick) Partyka, and Melissa Khlap, 12 great grandchildren, Izzie, Henry, Adeline, Cecilia, Louisa, Mollie, Nate, Noah, Melanie Rose, Mateo, Maliya and Milanni.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Omar, daughter, Kay Hustedt, two brothers, Jacob (Vi) Weigel, Roman (Agnes) Weigel and three sisters, Roselyn (Frank) Adler, Isabelle (Herb) Bushman and Dorothy (Edward) Fleisner.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, 1104 S. Ninth Ave., Wausau. Father William Grevatch will officiate. Burial will take place on Monday at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Marshfield. Visitation will be at the church on Saturday from 11 a.m. until the time of services. You may sign our family guest book at helke.com.
We would like to thank Interim Palliative Care and Aspirus Hospice House for the care and kindness they gave Marie and our family. We would also like to thank Dr. Jarin Thomas, Dr. Chris Wass, Dr. Thaddeus Krolicki, the staff at Marshfield Clinic and Marie’s physicians for the years of commitment to ensure her long years of good health and eyesight.
Judith Knesting
Judith F. Knesting, 80, of Wisconsin Rapids, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018, at Aspirus Riverview Hospital surrounded by her loving family and friend. Judy was born on Sept. 27, 1938, in Nekoosa, to the late Charles and Elsie (Martinson) Kopelke. On Nov. 1, 1958, she was married to Louis Hoffman Sr. in Wisconsin Rapids. He preceded her in death. On Oct. 15, 1986, she was married to Kenneth Knesting and he also preceded her in death.
Judy was a homemaker. She loved her family and always enjoyed when they would stop by to visit. She was very proud of them. She was an excellent cook and loved to bake. Her chocolate chip cookies were some of the best. She loved playing cards through the years with her family. She enjoyed reading, gardening, her pets, watching the Green Bay Packers and crafts. Polka Sunday was one of her favorite days. For several years, Judy was a school bus driver at Safe-Way for special needs students and a foster Mom to many. Judy had a wonderful laugh and beautiful smile that warmed everyone.
Judy is survived by her son, Shane (Chris) Hoffman; daughter, Kerrin (Paul) Najemik; eight grandchildren Dustin (Leslie) Hoffman, Brandon Hoffman, Sara (James) Helgeson, Danielle Domine (Christopher), Deanna Domine (Brandon), Jeremiah Prust, Mikaela (Kent) Dampier Jacob Najemik; five great grandchildren, Benjamin Domine, Jase Hoffman, Carter Helgeson, Tia and Robin Dampier; foster daughter Gina (Matt) Komatz; sister-in-laws, Bonnie Kopelke and Margaret Young; and dear friends Kathy Powell (Eddie).
In addition to her parents and husbands, she was preceded in death by her son, Louis “Beaver” Hoffman Jr; son, Cory Hoffman; daughter, Robin Prust; and brother, Patrick Kopelke.
A private family gathering will be held.
The Mid-Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting the family.
Thomas “Tommy” Wiza
Thomas Joseph “Tommy” Wiza, 66, of Rosholt passed away on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, at home, surrounded by his loving family.
Tommy was born in Rosholt on Oct. 30, 1952, to the late Stanley Wiza and Zephrene (Ziwicki). He attended school in Rosholt and he proudly served in the Wisconsin Army National Guard where he served as a sergeant.
He married Sandra Sue Gliszinski on Oct. 26, 1991, in Stevens Point at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. They were married for 27 years and raised six children. Sons: Thomas (Lisa), Lucas (special friend, Bre Richter) and Kurt. Daughters: Jenny (Carl) Phillips, Dana (Jeff) Tielens and Valerie Wiza. After their marriage, the couple resided in Rosholt in the town of Sharon.
Tommy worked as a laborer for union construction and retired in 2007.
For many years, Tommy enjoyed fishing and taking his kids, grandkids, nieces, and nephews water skiing and tubing during the family’s yearly Minnesota vacation, fixing up his vintage cars, spending time with his grandkids, gardening, deer hunting and getting together with family and friends for campfires, laughs and storytelling.
Tommy is survived by his wife, Sandy; his six children; seven grandchildren: Kayla, Alex, Aubrey, Kylie, Aiden, Colin and Evelyn; brothers, Stanley (Barbara), Lawrence (Jacqueline), Wallace (Candy) and Dennis; and sisters, Virginia Ostrander and Marlene (Mike) Gorski, in addition to many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Joseph and James; sister, Dolores (Rozmarynowski) Koback; father and mother-in-law, Leonard E. and Lillian Gliszinski; brothers-in-law, Leonard Jr. and Russell Gliszinski; and sister-in-law, Jill B. Gliszinski.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Wally Wiza, Virginia Ostrander and Ascension Hospice for taking care of Tommy, and to Sam Wiza and Tom Loomis for helping him get his projects finished.
The Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 23, 2018, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Polonia (7375 Church St., Custer, Wisconsin). Father Roy Witucki will officiate. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be at the church on Friday morning from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
The John J. Buettgen Funeral Home and Mid-Wisconsin Cremation Society are assisting the family.
Robert Judell
Robert L. Judell, 97, Kronenwetter, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on Nov. 16, 2018.
He was born to the late Philip and Lena (Krause) Judell on Nov. 28, 1920, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His parents moved to Milwaukee while Bob was just a toddler. He attended elementary and high school there. He graduated from Harvard with a bachelor’s of science degree. He served proudly in the United States Air Force from 1942 until 1946. Bob’s services included 14 months on Saipan with a B-29 Group as a statistical control officer. After the military, he earned a MBA degree at Columbia Business School. He became a CPA and practiced in New York and California. He also worked as a financial officer of several large corporations. His first job was a junior accountant with a medium sized CPA firm, Hurdman and Cranstound, in New York City. Bob’s last job was vice president and controller of Allstar Inns, a motel chain headquartered in Santa Barbara, California. Mary (Hatheway) his future wife, a registered nurse, was a student at Columbia Teachers College. They married on Feb. 28, 1948, in New York City at Riverside Church Chapel.
Bob devoted considerable hours to volunteer work in his retirement. He was an officer and board member on both a Santa Barbara nonprofit mental health association and a Carpinteria nonprofit museum.
Along with his wife, Bob became an avid duplicated bridge player and a life master. He and Mary traveled extensively outside of the U.S., both independently and with tour groups. Bob’s favorite sport was tennis. He began playing at the age of 10 and reluctantly gave up playing at age 86. After living some 30 years in California, Bob and Mary moved to Wausau, Wisconsin, to be near family. Along with his wife, he is survived by his sons, David (Cindy) and Douglas; also a grandchild Travis Judell.
Bob’s one granddaughter Urilla Judell preceded him in death in 2012, along with brothers; Stanley and Harold.
A memorial service will be held at the First Universalist Unitarian Church of Wausau at a later date.
Mid-Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting the family at this time.
Douglas Walters
Douglas A. Walters, 65, of Harrison Hills, Wisconsin, passed away on Nov. 15, 2018, from Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma (aka bile duct cancer) surrounded by his wife and daughters.
Doug was born in Madison, Wisconsin; son of Walter N. “Mick” Walters and Geraldine J. (Steinhaus) Walters. He graduated from Madison East High School in 1970, then went on to graduate from the UW-Madison with a degree in history and a minor in political science.
He was married to Lora L. Briggs for 42 years. They recently renewed their vows on Nov. 3, 2018, on a beautiful fall day at their home overlooking the lake, surrounded by those who loved them the most. Doug is survived by his caring wife, Lora; daughters, Becca (Craig) Wait of Bloomington, Minnesota, and Roxi (Scott) Sipple of New Richmond, Wisconsin; grandchildren Zoey and Grace Wait and Sawyer Douglas and Sydney Sipple. They adored their Papa!
He is further survived by his brothers, Duane (Sue) Walters of Madison, Wisconsin, and David (Judy) Walters of Waterford, Wisconsin; sisters-in-law, Linda (Roger) Squire of Surprise, Arizona, and Lanna Briggs (Rick) Williams of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.
Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Mick and Gerri Walters and in-laws, Bruce and Lois Briggs.
Doug was an avid outdoorsman. He was passionate about hunting (especially deer season) and fishing. He enjoyed the winter going snowmobiling with Lora and their friends. Harrison Hills was the perfect home for him. He was a huge Packers, Badgers and Brewers fan. Doug looked forward to getting together with his high school buddies for their annual golf outing in the fall.
He was also in the Wisconsin Air National Guard at Truax for over eight years. He fought his battle against this aggressive cancer for a year with such determination. Due to his cancer, he retired in September 2018 after 20 years working as branch manager for Allied Insulation in Wausau.
Special thank you to Shirli Flack of Allied Insulation for being so generous and supportive during Doug’s illness; all of his kind and thoughtful friends in Madison, Wausau and Harrison Hills, especially Scott and Deb for always being there and doing whatever needed to be done. Also, thank you to the staff at Aspirus Wausau Hospital and Hospice House in Wausau.
Per his request, Doug was cremated. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Donations in his name can be made to the Luther Memorial Church in Gleason or Aspirus Hospice House in Wausau.
Rest in peace Doug. We love you and will miss you.
Mid-Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting the family at this time.
