Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
George “Ray” Schoenfeldt
George Ray Schoenfeldt, 95, passed peacefully in his sleep Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, at Mount View Manor in Wausau, Wisconsin.
Ray, as he was mainly known by his middle name, was born in Antigo, Wisconsin, on April 15, 1923, to George and Fantassa (Hungerford) Schoenfeldt. Ray was the youngest sibling of two brothers, Verl and Floyd, and an older sister, Janice Olk, all of whom preceded him in death. On Sept. 19, 1944, he married Lucille Noe of Antigo, Wisconsin, in Tallahassee, Florida. Lucille passed away Sept. 1, 2008.
After graduating from Antigo High School, Ray joined the Air Force and flew P-51 Mustangs during World War II. Ray was based in Duxford, England, with the 8th Air Force, 78th Fighter Group, 84th Fighter Squadron.
Ray was an astute businessman involved in a variety of ventures. He began in the funeral business, first in Antigo and then in Milwaukee, acquiring an embalmer’s license in 1950. In 1959, the family moved to Rothschild, Wisconsin, and then to the southeast side of Wausau. He and Lucille owned and operated Ray’s One Hour Martinizing on Grand Avenue from 1960 to 1969. He also owned Ponderosa Restaurant and Motel with business partner Leon Burger from 1968 to 1977. He also owned a Chips Restaurant in Janesville, Wisconsin.
Ray was very active in the community. He was a member of the Wausau Lions Club, Shriners, Elks Lodge, American Legion, past master of the Masonic Lodge, and a past president of the South Side Businessmen.
Upon retirement, Ray and Lucille moved to St. Augustine, Florida, in 1984 and enjoyed life by the beach until they returned to the Wausau area in 2000 to be closer to their children.
Ray enjoyed golf, playing the trumpet, bowling, skeet shooting, flying his plane and was an endless tinkerer.
Ray is survived by his sons, Fred (Lois) of Hatley, Wisconsin, Todd of Wausau, Wisconsin, and daughter Jean (Mark) Hoskin of Houghton, Michigan. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Anne, and a son, David. He has one grandson, Brent (Kate) and two great granddaughters, Stella and Nora of Macungie, Pennsylvania.
The Schoenfeldt family would like to thank all his caregivers, especially the attention and care from Copperleaf Memory Care, Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services and Mount View Manor.
Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, at Brainard Funeral Home – Everest Chapel, 5712 Memorial Court, Weston, Wisconsin. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Interment will follow the service at Restlawn Memorial Park where Military Honors will be performed by the American Legion Montgomery-Plant-Dudley Post 10. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ray’s name may be directed to Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.
Online condolences may be shared at www.brainardfuneral.com.
Joan “Jane” Gantner
Joan “Jane” A. Gantner, 92, died Sunday, Dec. 30 under the care of Interim Hospice and Palliative Care at Rennes Health and Rehab Center, Weston.
She was born Sept. 30, 1926, in the town of Rietbrock, daughter of the late Peter and Anna (Nowicki) Murkowski. On Nov. 5, 1945, she married Joseph Gantner at Holy Family Catholic Church, Poniatowski. He preceded her in death on Nov. 12, 2001.
During their life together, Joan had many adventures while farming, fishing, hunting and traveling the United States, Alaska, Canada, Mexico and Europe. Later while living at Island Place, Wausau, she enjoyed playing cards and other games while making many friends.
Survivors include her daughter, Darla (Steve) Thies, South Bend, Indiana; two grandchildren, Julie (John) Painter, Marysville, Ohio, and Christopher (Jennifer Duvall) Hunger, Elkhart, Indiana; three great grandchildren, Christine Painter, Logan Painter and Braeden Painter all of Marysville, Ohio; two sisters, Irene King, Weston and Terry Berrens, Wausau, numerous nieces and nephews.
Joan was also surrounded in love and prayers by three living sisters-in-law, Caroline Witucki, Lucy Rausch both of Athens, and Frances Johnsen, Wausau, who was her frequent care giver, and one brother-in-law, James Frieders, Weston.
Besides her parents and husband, Joseph, she was preceded in death by seven brothers and sisters.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 7, 2018, at the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus, Wausau. Rev. Robert Thorn will preside. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Visitation will be Monday from 9:45 a.m. until the time of services, all at the church.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Ave., Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Elgart Radant
Elgart Henry Radant died peacefully with his family present at his apartment at Mountain Terrace.
He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Cora (Kilian) Radant and his two children, Susan Gilomen and Leon Radant. He was a wonderful grandfather to Hannah Radant, Ryan Gilomen, Erin Arnio, and Colin Radant. He also enjoyed two great-grandchildren, Willa and Scarlett Arnio.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Hubert and Clara (Zunker) Radant, his dear brother, Willard, and his brother, Delmar. His surviving siblings are Donald, Edward, and Eldora Marquardt.
He was born, raised, and worked almost all of his adult life in Marathon County. He seemed to be known almost everywhere he went in the region. He was very prideful of his military service in World War II and continued in his retirement to be active in the VFW. He volunteered as a member of the Honor Guard for his fellow vets for many years.
Elgart worked in construction as a carpenter foreman on many commercial construction projects in the area. He had many buddies in the carpenters local union. Even in his advancing years, he took pride in keeping his house in perfect condition and keeping everyone busy with projects of his choosing.
He and Cora were lifetime members of the Trinity Lutheran Church in the town of Stettin. We have all been appreciative of the many supportive visits made by friends, family and fellow parishioners.
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019, at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church (town of Stettin) 1008 North 120th Ave., with Rev. Phil Bogen officiating. Visitation begins at 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Private burial will be in the Town of Berlin Cemetery. The family would ask that no additional flowers be sent.
A memorial in his name will be established with Trinity Lutheran Church.
You may sign the family guestbook at www.helke.com.
Sandra Robl
Sandra M. Robl, 59, passed away at her home on Jan. 1, 2019, from natural causes. She was born to Joseph and Shirley (Bussman) on July 25, 1959, in Merrill, Wisconsin. She was daughter number four. She joined her three other siblings, Patricia, Kathy and Joan. Sandy attended Wausau High School and NTC. She went to work for Marathon Electric here in Wausau for 37 years. Her job was her pride and joy, this was reflected in the great trust and respect she gained from her customers across the United States. Her job also brought her into several years of Junior Achievement.
She accepted life on its own terms. She was forgiving, honest and loyal in all aspects of her life. Often, she would say, “It is what it is.” She enjoyed most sports, especially NASCAR, NFL, cards, occasional trips to the casino, adventures traveling across the country in the RV with her mom and Chuck. No one made better Chex mix or deviled eggs. .
She is survived by mother Shirley Hodgdon, Wausau; sisters Patricia (Larry) Mirma, Kathy Konze, Joan (Michael) Steinagel; stepsisters Gail (Tom) Eggert, Lynn (Roy) Bresnahan, Christine (Daniel) Podany; stepborothers Chuck Jr., (Kay) Hodgdon, Mark Hodgdon, Barrett (Jeanie) Hodgdon; nieces and nephews Kimberly Hanz, Kelly (Travis) Hanz, Rebecca (Aaron) Rouse, Laura Sliwicki, Daniel Mirman, Adam Cynkar, Adrew Mirman; and special friend Glenn Popp.
She is preceded in death by her father Jospeh Robl and stepfather Chuck Hodgdom. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019, at Covenant Community Presbyterian Church at 11 a.m. Visitation will be from 10 until time of service. Mid-Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting the family at this time. Online condolences can be expressed at www.HonorOne.com.
Shirley Rohland
Shirley Rohland, 93, of Withee, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully at Wellington Assisted Living in Wausau, Wisconsin, on Dec. 27, 2018. She was born in Chicago on Dec. 21, 1925, to William and Wilhelmina (Popp) Kuhs. Shirley was named Eleanor Bernice but was later changed to Shirley.
She had three brothers William (Alice) Kuhs, Charles (Carol) Kuhs and David (Susan) Kuhs; and two sisters Alice (Tom) Tinnes and Dorothy (Jeff Lotz) Alejandre.
Shirley graduated from Harrison Technical High School, Chicago, Illinois, In 1943. A few years later, she graduated from Chicago Business School. She also attended Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. She moved with family to Warrenville, Illinois, in 1945. Shirley worked as a private secretary for various companies in the Chicago area. She was also a murses aide at Mount Sinai Hospital in Chicago.
In the summer, Shirley would visit the Withee, Wisconsin, area where she met her “Prince Charming,” Emil Rohland. They were married in Chicago, Illinois. On April 12, 1947, she stayed and worked in Chicago for three years. In 1950, they purchased a farm northwest of Withee, Wisconsin, and then moved to a second farm north of Withee in 1955. They retired from farming in 1977.
Shirley was a wonderful loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and sister-in-law. She loved reading, gardening, sewing, knitting, crocheting, writing poetry and short stories. With a kind heart, Shirley always showed respect to everyone. During her most challenging times, she always had a smile on her face.
Shirley always loved sharing jokes from Reader’s Digest books. Shirley was involved in several activities over the years: Literacy Program Tutor for Clark County, 4-H leader, Drama Coach, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School Teacher. She also worked for the Owen-Enterprise in Owen, Wisconsin, as a typist, reporter and assistant to the editor. Shirley attended Alliance Community Church in Withee, Wisconsin.
She is survived by her eight children Dennis (Helen) Rohland, Louise (Don) Luedke, Judy West, Darcy (Robert) Ciszewski, Scott (Hope) Rohland, Brenda Spath, Jeff Rohland, Melvin Rohland, and her 16 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and 9 great great-grandchildren. Shirley is further survived by her brother Charles and sister Alice.
She is preceded in death by her husband Emil on April 23, 2015, parents, stepmother, Lucille (Kuhs) Jacobson, brothers; William (Alice) Kuhs, David (Susan) Kuhs, a sister Dorothy (Jeff Lotz) Alejandre, son-in-law Ron (Judy) West, foster son Jerry (Kim) Roberts and many in-laws, nieces and nephews.
A private burial and gathering will be held for Shirley’s immediate family only, per her request.
Mid-Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting the family at this time. Online condolences may be expressed at www.HonorOne.com.
