Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Sharon Zank
Sharon A. Zank of Weston, Wisconsin, was called to her savior’s side this past Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019.
Sharon was born on Jan. 13, 1935, to the late William and Ella (Schwesig) Grob. She attended Wausau High School and then went to work at the Pied Piper Shoe Factory in Wausau. It was there that she met her future husband, Marlan. The two were united in marriage on June 9, 1956.
In 1966, Sharon was offered the opportunity to take part in a federal program that provided para-professionals for local schools. Little did she realize that the opportunity would become a 34-year career with the D.C. Everest Area School District. She worked for many years at Schofield Elementary School before transferring to Rothschild Elementary. She thought of her coworkers as her extended family and often reminisced about the hard work and happy times they shared.
Sharon was a longtime member of St. Peter Lutheran Church of Schofield. It was there that she learned to know Christ’s saving love, love that filled her heart with gratitude and that inspired her to live a life of thanks to her gracious God. For more than 40 years she served as a Sunday school and vacation Bible school teacher, touching the lives of hundreds of children with the life-giving message of scripture. In her younger years, she was a member of the Lutheran Ladies Guild and the Senior Choir.
Among Sharon’s survivors are her son, the Rev. Joel (Cindy) Zank of Appleton; her daughter, Marsha (Keith) Crooks of Schofield; her grandchildren: Jessica (Mike) Straseske of Wausau, Jamison Hollman of Schofield, and Carrie (Karl) Garbo of Green Bay. She is further survived by two sisters, June Clark of Spokane, Washington, and Beverly Huckbody of Wausau; her brother-in-law, DuWayne Zank of Wausau, her sister-in-law, Geraldine Zank of Weston, and by many loving nephews and nieces.
Funeral arrangements are pending with Brainard Funeral Home – Everest Chapel. Please return to the Brainard website for service information at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Peter Lutheran Church, 1351 Grand Ave., Schofield, WI 54476.
We who benefited most from Sharon’s grateful heart are the members of her family. From her words and example, we have learned the importance of staying connected to Christ and his saving truth. Through faith in him we look forward to the being with Mom forever – as the Bible promises: “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life!” (John 3:36).
James Ollhoff
James “Popsie” R. Ollhoff, 79, died Monday, Jan, 7, 2019, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services at Woodland Court, Merrill.
He was born Nov. 15, 1939, in Wausau, son of the late Reuben and Ruth (Hartwig) Ollhoff. On Feb. 17, 1962, he married Karen Peters at Trinity Lutheran Church, Wausau, and they spent 56 years together.
James not only worked as a farmer, but had a true passion for it. He was proud to continue the Hartwig family farm tradition, which is currently at 139 years. He enjoyed tractor pulls, draft horses, polka dances and collecting toy tractors. When he wasn’t cruising around in his pickup, you could find him checking fence on his four-wheeler where he could occasionally be found resting, aka “napping.” He was a witty man who loved to talk about his early years farming and always came up with a clever nickname for everyone and everything.
Survivors include his wife, Karen Ollhoff; children, Mitch (Guyna) Ollhoff, Greg (Jackie) Ollhoff, Diane (Ward) Bennett and Scott (fiancé Victoria) Ollhoff; grandchildren, Ashley (Jonathon) Smith, Jordan, Luke, Grace, Leigha and Gunner Ollhoff; great-grandchildren, John, Alannah and Dylan Smith; siblings, Carol Uekert, Mary Lord, Charlene (Karl) Pilath, Mark (Josie) Ollhoff, Mike (Sandy) Ollhoff, Tina Ollhoff, Gene (Peggy) Ollhoff and Gary (Chris) Ollhoff; brother-in-law, Bob Richey.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Debbie, son, Dan, brother, David, sister, Katie Richey and brother-in-law, Donnie Uekert.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019, at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau. Rev. Zach Holdorf will officiate. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, village of Maine. Visitation will be Saturday from 11 a.m. until the time of services, all at the Sixth Street funeral home.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Robert “Bobby” Burmeister
Robert Lyn Burmeister passed on Jan. 5, 2019, at the age of 63 years young. Bobby was born on May 7, 1955, in Marathon to Henry and Barbara Burmeister.
Bobby graduated from Marathon High School in 1974 and enlisted in the United States Marines in 1976 to serve his country. During his time with the Marines he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, returning to the states in 1979. Bobby was excited to get back home to see one girl. But little did he know she was waiting for him also. That lucky girl was Rene’e Dombrowski, “Bobby’s Girl.”
They were soon married on June 19, 1982. The newlyweds moved onto the family farm and started Bobby’s first business venture, A&B Sales. During his time at A&B, Bobby helped innovate the ginseng industry with his own design of a ginseng root washer that is still used in the industry today. A&B soon dissolved, and R&R Machinery started and thrived for 10 years. Bobby then took his sales experience and charming smile into the auto industry with the creation of Custom Touch Auto Sales, which still operates today.
Bobby’s hobbies were his work, friends and family. He was a jack of all trades. Bobby took pride in taking over the family farm that has been in the Burmeister name for over 100 years. He treasured his visits with friends and family. Bobby didn’t need world travels, he loved his time at home with his wife and kids.
Bobby had many accomplishments that he was proud of, none more so than their three blessings of Sarah, Bruce, and Derek. From building dollhouses for Sarah, go-karting with Bruce and fishing with Derek, every day was a new adventure and he loved every moment he spent with his children. As time went by he had one more blessing, his granddaughter Madisyn. He loved Madisyn so much and would tell her every time he would see her. Madisyn truly loved and will miss her Papa.
Survivors include his wife, Rene’e Burmeister, Marathon; two children, Sarah (Ehren) Malinowski, Wausau, and Derek Burmeister, Minnetonka, Minnesota; one granddaughter, Madisyn; three siblings, Gary (Suzanne) Burmeister, Marathon, Helen (Robert) Kuklinski, Hatley and Allen Burmeister, Marathon; one brother-in-law, Randy (Jeanene) Dombrowski, Georgia; and nieces and nephews, Albert (Cheryl), Lynette (Jeremy), Lee (Gina), Jordan, Lisa, Mike, Breanna and Leah.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Bruce; and one nephew, Little Bobby Kuklinski.
It is impossible to comprehend or quantify exactly the man Bobby was to this world and to his family. He was a husband, father, papa, uncle, cousin, friend, entrepreneur, teacher, role model, and yes, he was a bit of a rebel. He was whatever we needed him to be. Bobby would drop everything at moment’s notice to help family and friends. He brightened up the lives of so many. The truth is we will never fully know what happened the day Bobby passed. Bobby will be beyond missed.
Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019, at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 280 Highway A, Marathon. Rev. Philip Bogen will officiate. Burial will be in Zion Lutheran Cemetery, where full Military Honors will be conducted by members of the American Legion, Alex Dreikosen Post No. 469, Marathon. Visitation will be on Saturday from 9 a.m. until time of services at the church.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Patricia “Patti” Edblom
Patricia A. “Patti” Edblom, 64, Wausau, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019.
She was born April 3, 1954, in LaCrosse, daughter of the late Dr. James and Martha (Wilhelm) Koch.
She graduated from Colby High School. She was united in marriage to Rodney Edblom on June 10, 1972. Together they had four children, Shannon Palmerton, Wausau, Sara (Aaron) Meyers, Wausau, Justin (Jessica) Edblom, Bowler and Jessica (Chad) Thomsen, Dorchester. She is further survived by 11 loving grandchildren, Tyler, Bryanna, Petra, Ezra, Ashley, Madisen, Charlie, Trenton, Abbey, Savana and Carsen; one brother, David Koch, Holcombe; one sister, Sara (Mitch) Kaiser, Nevada; many nieces and nephews; and her loving furbaby, “Alex” (Alexander Patches).
Patti worked in New Beginnings at Aspirus Wausau Hospital for the past 16 years.
Spending time with her family meant the most to her. “Love you to the moon and back.”
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 11, 2019, at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Ave., Wausau. Rev. Dr. Philip C. Schneider will officiate. Visitation will be on Thursday from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. and again on Friday from 10 a.m. until time of services, all at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Patricia Swope
Patricia L. Swope, 66, of Wausau passed away Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, at U.W. Hospital, Madison. She was born on Feb. 6, 1952, in Wausau to the late Victor and Delores (Hahn) Bartelt. On April 21, 1972, she married Gerald E. Swope in Wausau.
Patricia took great pride in her home and enjoyed taking care of the family. She also liked to tend to the lawn and always looked forward to planting her flowers in the spring. Her greatest joy in life was her family, especially her children and grandchildren. Incredibly humble, placing everyone’s needs in front of her own, finding happiness with ensuring everyone was well cared for.
Survivors include her husband Gerald; sons Jeff, Naples Florida; Robert (Kirsten), Wake Forest, North Carolina; Scott (Anastacia), Kronewetter; 10 grandchildren; one great grandchild; siblings Mary (Joseph) Kreill, Waukesha; James Bartelt, Greensboro, North Carolina; Michael (Kathy) Bartelt, Wausau; Brenda Ertl, Westfield; Brian Bartelt, Wausau; special niece Annabeth Bartelt.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Christine, sister-in-law Roberta Bartelt.
A Memorial Gathering will be held Friday, Jan. 11, 2019, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce St. Wausau. You may sign the family guest book helke.com.
