Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Madhu Luthra
Dr. Madhu Luthra, 67, of Wausau, Wisconsin, passed away on Dec. 1, 2018, in Wausau.
Madhu was born in New Delhi, India, on Dec. 21, 1950, to Vishwanath and Shanta (Puri) Khullar. She went to college and medical school in Bombay, India, did her medical residency in Chicago, Illinois, and practiced pediatrics in Wausau from 1981-2010, caring for thousands of area families. Madhu is lovingly remembered by husband, Dr. Vinay Luthra; daughters Priya Linson (spouse: Joshua Linson, children: Navin, 10, Anya, 7) and Anjali Rupp (spouse: Adam Rupp, daughter: Rani, 3); siblings Ashwini Khullar, Shashi Kochchar and Naresh Khullar.
Madhu loved to hike, cook, ski, and is remembered as always being the the life of the party. She brightened every room she walked into. Madhu adored children and was loved by many of her former patients and their families. She will be deeply missed and remembered.
No visitation or services will be planned; in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts will be added to the Luthra Family Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin, 500 First St., Suite 2600, Wausau, WI 54403 or at this link: tinyurl.com/ydbvv3t5.
Brainard Funeral Home, Wausau Chapel, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.brainardfuneral.com.
Walter Rusch
Walter was born on Dec. 3, 1937, in Eau Pleine, Wisconsin, to parents, Hilton and Genevieve (Atkins) Rusch.
When Walter was 17 years old he joined the United States Army and served his country in the Korean and Vietnam wars.
After returning home from the military, Walter met Marcella (Schneider) Rusch and the two were married on June 29, 1967.
Walter spent much of his life working in construction. Outside of work he enjoyed fishing, camping, traveling and working on projects around the house or in his garage. Walter loved John Deere tractors, polka music, Johnny Cash and keeping his loved ones on their toes.
Walter will be dearly missed by his wife, Marcella (Schneider) Rusch, his oldest daughter Theresa (Rusch) Larocque and her husband Jesse Larocque, his youngest daughter Melissa Rusch and his granddaughter Cassandra Rusch.
Visitation will be held at Brainard Funeral Home in Wausau on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., followed by a short service, which will also be held at Brainard. Burial will be at 2 p.m. at Restlawn Memorial Park.
To share memories and condolences with Walter’s family, visit www.brainardfuneral.com.
David Strasburg
David A. Strasburg, 30, died Nov. 27, 2018.
He was born Nov. 15, 1988, in Milwaukee, son of Michael and Theresa (Gunther) Strasburg.
David worked in customer service at Culver’s, followed by McDonald’s, and also worked in housekeeping at St. Clare’s Hospital. He enjoyed fishing and was always there to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.
Survivors include his parents, Mike and Terry Strasburg; siblings, Barb Eckes, Deb Schmitt, Scott Peckham, Erica Emerson, Kris Paulowski, Joe Strasburg, James Strasburg, Dan Strasburg, Jessica Strasburg, Jacob Strasburg, John Strasburg and Jasmine Strasburg.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Veronica.
Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018, at Mosinee United Methodist Church, Mosinee. Visitation will be Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of the services, all at the church.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Priscilla Tuckett
Priscilla A. Tuckett, 79, Kronenwetter, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018, at North Central Health Care, Wausau, with her loving friends and family by her side. Priscilla was born Oct. 14, 1939, to the late Raymond and Eleanor (Freuen) Yessa in Wausau. She married Edward R.“Bob” Tuckett in April 1979.
Priscilla was a Wausau native, working around town – a part-time bartender at Kelly Club and full-time claims agent at Wausau Insurance, from where she retired in 2002. In retirement, she continued her love of gardening, reading, soap operas and spending time with her grandchildren, and eventual great-grandchildren.
Survivors include her daughter, Caroline “Carrie” McTavish, Weston; her grandson, Simon (Kathleen) McTavish, Airville, Pennsylvania.; husband, Edward “Bob” Tuckett, Weston; step-daughter, Annie (Gerry) Meissner, Gilbert, Arizona; step-grandsons, Damien Tuckett and Trenton Krueger; three great-grandchildren, Bryce, Franklin, and Alice; and a brother, Raymond (Lynn) Yessa, Milton, Wisconsin. She was preceded in death by a sister, Pat Mosley and two infant brothers, Ronald and Robert.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018, at St. Mark Catholic Church at 602 Military Road, Rothschild. Rev. Allan Slowiak will preside. Luncheon will be served immediately following the service. Interment will occur at Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau, after the luncheon. A viewing will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. Peterson/Kraemer funeral home is in charge of the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for a donation to a charity of their choice.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Bradley Boruch
Bradley D. Boruch, 52, of Wausau passed away on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
Brad was born to Ralph and Kay (Parsons) Boruch in Wausau on Jan. 26, 1966. After completing high school, Brad joined the United States Navy and served honorably for four years. Brad stayed in touch with his Navy buddies and to this day, could still call them his friends. He worked for Woods Equipment as a machinist. He truly loved what he did and enjoyed sharing his stories from work with family and friends.
Brad was a special person, and it is hard to pick out all the things that made him who he was. Brad was kind. He loved spending time with his family and friends. He loved to go up North, fishing and bird watching. Brad loved to make fire wood, he always kept his car clean, and he was a dog guy, and spoiled his Yorkie “Cooper.” But the most important to Brad were his family and friends; and he truly loved his fiancee Peggy with all his heart. Brad will be missed by everyone who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his mom, Kay; fiancee Peggy; brothers, Blane (Kristan) and Tim (Jodi); and his niece Paige.
Brad was preceded in death by his dad, Ralph.
A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018, at Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce St., Wausau. Pastor Jenn Collins will officiate. Visitation will take place from 4 p.m. until the time of services at the funeral home. Please visit and sign the family guestbook at Helke.com.
Bernard “Bernie” Johns
Bernard “Bernie” C. Johns, 87, Rothschild, died Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018, at UW Hospital, Madison.
Bernie was born Sept. 14, 1931, in Stanley to the late William and Martha (Duce) Johns and was proud to be a member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin. He graduated from Wausau High School and honorably served his country in the U.S. Army from 1953-55. He married Joann Drozd on Nov. 3, 1956, and the couple welcomed four children to their family: Mary, Julie, Mike and David. Bernie later married Virginia Prindiville on July 14, 1981, and remained devoted to her for the rest of his life. Bernie was an amazing car salesman, selling 10,356 cars over the course of 30 years. He earned a team-signed 1967 Superbowl football from Vince Lombardi and was named one of the top 100 salesman in the country for his skill. He initially worked for Beilke Buick and Pontiac from 1951-61, then Pirwitz from 1961-77 and Guinn and Nyygard from 1977-81 when he retired, but then decided to return to full-time work with Hoffers Glass from 1988-99.
Bernie was a very gregarious man who always enjoyed meeting new people and learning all about them. He was also a jokester and was a dedicated friend and confidant to many. Bernie enthusiastically supported his children and grandchildren in all their activities. He was also proud to be a strong conservative throughout his life.
Bernie was a member of the Optimist Club, Elks Club, American Legion Montgomery-Plant-Dudley Post 10, Wausau Ringnecks and Long Bass Lake Association. He was also a faithful member of St. Therese parish for most of his life. In his free time, Bernie enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, avidly supporting all Wisconsin sports teams, and spending time at his cottage in Harrison Hills on Bass Lake. Bernie’s other passion was racing. His love of racing started with Wisconsin Outboard Motor Association and from 1943-50 he was sponsored by Wayne Schoepke winning his last race in Fremont. He then shifted to stockcar racing and was sponsored by John Dammor from 1951-57.
Bernie is survived by his wife, Virginia; children, Mary (Tom) Sierakowski of Weston, Julie (Scott) Rucinski of Merrill, Mike Johns of Kronenwetter and David (Victoria) Johns of Merrill; grandchildren, Chad, Michael (Cassie), Tyler (Sarah) and Nicholas Sierakowski, Matthew, Jamie and Branden Johns, and Vincent and Isaac Johns; great-grandchildren, Nixon and Emma; mother of his children, Joann Johns; and extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by his brother, Bruce Johns.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be at noon on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018 at St. Therese Parish, Rothschild. Fr. Louis Britto will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 3, at Helke Funeral Home, Wausau; resuming at 11 a.m. until the time of service on Tuesday at the church. Entombment and military rites will be at Restlawn Memorial Park – Garden of Eternal Rest. Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements; you may sign our family guestbook at helke.com.
Memorials may be directed to the family for a future charitable donation.
A heartfelt word of appreciation goes to Dr. Stephen Nichols, Dr. Deb Mojumder, Dr. “Mike” Fraginkaksis and the doctors, nurses and staff of Aspirus Wausau Hospital and UW Hospital Madison for their compassionate care. A special thank you also goes to Sherri Drozd and Monica Howe for their assistance.
In his own words, “Thanks for talking to me.” There will only be one Bernie.
Jackie Hemeleski
Jackie Hemeleski, 81, Wausau, daughter of the late Thomas and Beatrice (Allerley) Smith, succumbed to cancer and dementia on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, at North Crest Assisted Living Facility in Stevens Point.
Born and raised in the Wausau area, she graduated from D.C. Everest High School, and had worked as an IBM operator at Wausau Insurance.
Jackie’s first marriage was to Jim Ruechel, and they had a son together before separating. On July 31, 1971, she would marry her true love, Albert Hemeleski, and they would spend life together until his passing two days before their 46th wedding anniversary. They also had a son together.
Jackie enjoyed traveling with her husband, Al, and some of their favorite places included Branson, Missouri, to see all the variety shows, or visiting her brother and sister-in-law in Arizona. Being an animal lover, she had many dogs and cats as pets through the years who brought much joy. You could catch her not only feeding her cat, but a lot of the neighborhood pets, too, including the outside critters. It would be unusual to see an animal with a smaller belly than hers, since she loved caring for them. Jackie also enjoyed playing sweepstakes and other contests, and although she always claimed not to be much of a cook, she hands down made the best barbecue. Lastly, she loved her two children very much; one preceded her in death due to heart complications since birth. In fact, her husband and she had to file bankruptcy, as they had to make ends meet running as far as Minnesota for appointments to make sure he received proper care while working to pay medical bills.
Jackie joins her beloved husband, Albert; son, Craig; and was the last of the four siblings, Dennis (Grace) Smith, Joanna (Kenneth) Stoltz and Tommy (Rosalie) Smith. She leaves behind one son, Wayne Ruechel of Wausau; and two grandsons, Jesse (Melissa) Rozmarynowski of Madison, and Gregg Ruechel of Wausau; along with three great-grandchildren.
A special thanks goes to everyone who provided love and care for her these last few months. Visitation and luncheon will be Friday, Dec. 7, 2018, 3-5 p.m. at the John J. Buettgen Funeral Home located at 948 Grand Ave., Schofield. For online condolences, please visit www.HonorOne.com.
Marjorie Schulz
Marjorie Schulz, 91 of Rothschild, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, at her home.
She was born on Dec. 17, 1926, in the town of Belle Plaine, daughter of the late Adolph and Margaret (Johnson) Tratz. On July 29, 1944, she married Robert L. Schulz in Milwaukee. He preceded her in death on Dec. 7, 1967.
Marge crocheted blankets for all of her family. She was a sports fan, and especially enjoyed watching baseball games on TV.
Survivors include five children, Steven (Patricia) Schulz, Stan (Jill) Schulz, Marcy (Robert) Koplitz, all of Rothschild, Mary Beth (Roger) Sowinski of Kronenwetter, and Skip (Sandy) Schulz of Michigan; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and her goddaughter, Christy Monroe.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Adolph and Margaret, husband Robert, an infant son Scott, and brother, Edward Tratz.
Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, Rothschild. Rev. Richard Block will officiate. Burial will be in Forest Home Cemetery, Wittenberg. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until the time of service on Thursday at the church.
Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Wittenberg, is assisting the family with arrangements. Memories and condolences may be given at schmidtschulta.com or on Facebook at Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home.
