Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
DuWayne Kleinschmidt
DuWayne Robert Kleinschmidt passed away on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Wausau, Wisconsin. He was born on July 24, 1943, to Robert and Hilda Kleinschmidt in the town of Scott in Lincoln County, Wisconsin. He grew up on a small dairy farm and spent many hours working with his parents. He maintained a fondness for agriculture and the farm. His two children and grandson still own a portion of the farm, which is now in a forestry program.
DuWayne attended Trinity Lutheran School in Merrill and graduated from Merrill High School in 1961. He completed his Bachelor’s Degree in secondary education at UWSP, with a major in mathematics and minor in physics. He also received a Master’s Degree in mathematics from Utah State University and earned Ph. D. credits in administration from UW-Madison.
He met Diane Jean Lambrecht at the Lincoln County Fair in 1959 and they married Aug. 14, 1965. They have two children, Jennifer and Robert, and one grandson, Kolby.
DuWayne absolutely loved his family. Whether it be cross-country or downhill ski trips, camping, biking, hiking, travelling or baseball games, he truly enjoyed spending time with them.
DuWayne was a committed educator. He was a proud member of the Wausau Education Association (serving as president and negotiator in the ’70s), Wisconsin Education Association, National Education Association, Wisconsin Mathematics Council, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Association of Curriculum Development (president in 1995), Wisconsin Retired Educators Association and Marathon County Retired Educators.
He taught mathematics at Urban Junior High School in Sheboygan before moving to Wausau, where he taught at the old Horace Mann Junior High, Wausau Senior High, and Wausau West. He was the mathematics coordinator for the Wausau School District from 1974-1986. The last 15 years of his career, he served as the director of secondary education. He taught courses for the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, Eau Claire and Superior. Upon retirement, he coordinated and taught a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership for Cardinal Stritch University. In the mid-80s he was a consultant with IBM and the Writing to Read program.
He was instrumental in bringing Japanese foreign exchange teachers to the Wausau School District and was the city of Wausau’s education delegate in 1995 who travelled to China for the Sister City project.
DuWayne was particularly proud that during his tenure on the board of directors for the Wausau Performing Arts Foundation an educational partnership developed with the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and the program of children’s performances developed.
DuWayne was a Habitat for Humanity volunteer, serving for two years as president of the board of directors. The relationship between Habitat and the construction trades classes in area high schools was of particular pride for him.
In his retirement years, DuWayne and wife, Diane, enjoyed travelling nationally and internationally and spending time in their vacation home in Seagrove Beach, Florida.
It is with great appreciation for the Wausau School District that he established the DuWayne R. Kleinschmidt Scholarship Trust to be given annually to a student at Wausau West and Wausau East.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Diane, son Robert Kleinschmidt and grandson Kolby Kleinschmidt, and daughter Jennifer (Joel) Chandler. He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Hilda (Wendt) Kleinschmidt, and sister Sally.
A visitation will be held Friday, Jan. 18 from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Brainard Funeral Home, 522 Adams St., Wausau. A Celebration of Life in his memory will be held at a later date.
Memorials in DuWayne’s memory may be made to the Wausau Community Foundation.
The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Hamied Rezazadeh and the outstanding staff at the Aspirus Cancer Center and Aspirus Wausau Hospital’s Oncology Unit for the exceptional treatment and care.
To share memorial and condolences, visit www.brainardfuneral.com.
Donations may be made to:
Wausau Community Foundation
500 First St., #2600, Wausau WI 54403
Tel: 1-715-845-9555
Web: cfoncw.org/
Leona Tucker
Leona Tucker, 97, passed away at Aspirus Hospital in Wausau, Wisconsin, on Jan. 11, 2019. She was born Leona Helene Garbisch on April 12, 1921, at the family farm in Granton, Wisconsin. Leona graduated as the valedictorian of the Granton High School Class of 1939. She married Joseph Tucker on May 18, 1948. They lived in Superior for most of their married life. Joe and Leona moved to Wausau in 1990 to be nearer their family.
In Wausau, she served in several offices for the local AARP chapter and on the statewide AARP Legislative Committee. She received the Ethel Percy Andrus Award for statewide service. Leona was part of the Depression Kids who spoke at area schools and was featured in the first D.C. Everest history book. Leona was also a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church and the Catholic Daughters. She helped with the Tax Aide program well into her 80s and completed 15 years of service as an Aspirus volunteer at age 92. She especially enjoyed singing weekly with the Wausau Senior Citizen Chorus at many nursing homes throughout the area.
Leona loved to attend all the family gatherings from weddings to graduations to the annual family reunion in Marshfield. Leona was dearly loved by her nieces and nephews and their families. She was the matriarch of the family and the last of her generation.
Leona was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joe, an infant son, her parents Paul and Emma Garbisch, all her siblings and their spouses, and her son-in-law, James Nikstad.
Leona will be greatly missed by her children, Emalyn Nikstad (Wausau, Wisconsin) and Rick and Bonnie Tucker (Hermantown, Minnesota), her grandchildren and their spouses Laura Nikstad and Dan Tyx (McAllen, Texas), Paul and Erica Nikstad (Deephaven, Minnesota), Bethany Nikstad (St. Louis, Missouri), Andrea and Brandon Walburg (Hermantown, Minnesota), Joseph P. Tucker (Dayton, Ohio) and Kyle Tucker (Yokohama, Japan) and her great-grandchildren Benjamin Tyx, Ana Tyx, Trevor Walburg, Thomas Walburg and Judd Nikstad. She is also survived by her in-laws Aileen Tucker, Mary Tucker, David and Janice Tucker and Michael Tucker.
Services will be held at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Wausau, on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019. Visitation will be from 9:30-11:30 with the Mass of Burial at 11:30. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Superior, Wisconsin, in spring.
Peterson-Kraemer Funeral Home of Wausau is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
The family would like to thank the staff at Mountain Terrace Senior Living for the kind and considerate support they have given Leona over the past four years and to the entire staff of the Palliative Care Unit at Aspirus for their tender care.
Martha Allord
Martha Allord, 97, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, at Benedictine Living Community of Wausau.
She was born Jan. 30, 1921, in Wakefield, Michigan, to the late Andrew and Veronica (Stempinski) Yatchak. On June 5, 1948, she married Udaire Allord in Wakefield, Michigan. After moving to Wausau, Martha worked as a bookkeeper for Home Insulation, then for Krause, Howard Accounting and later for the Woodson Family Office. The family were active members of St. James Catholic Church, Wausau, where for many years, Martha was treasurer for bingo. In 1989, Martha and Udaire retired to Woodruff becoming members of Holy Family Catholic Church. Always keeping busy, Martha and Udaire enjoyed fishing, ice fishing, going for car rides and exploring new destinations, especially restaurants.
Martha is survived by her four children, Mary (Michael) Moen of Wausau, Carol Kelly and Peggy Sullivan of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, Michael (Julie) Allord of Henderson, Nevada, 13 grandchildren, Michael (Bridget) Kelly, Bradley (Roberta) Raasch, Heather (Tom) Leier, Amy Galanski, Hydie (Jamie Sebold) Sullivan, Christina Davis, Molly (Derek Cotton) Moen, Christopher (Angela) Raasch, Casey Allord, Beth (Michael) Bloom, Molly (John) Duckett, John (Tammy) Sullivan, Colby Allord, 32 great grandchildren and one sister, Arlene Miljevich of Wakefield. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Udaire, great grandson, Matthew Raasch, grandson-in-law, Stanley Galanski, four sisters, Patricia Welsh, Phyllis Tarkowski, Margaret Radowski, Sophie Kaveshan and an infant brother.
A memorial mass will be celebrated at noon on May 10, 2019, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 221 S. 28th Ave., Wausau. Father Robert Thorn will officiate. Visitation will be at the church on Friday from 11 a.m. until the time of services. You may sign our family guest book at helke.com.
Memorials may be directed to the family which will be used for the Activity Fund at Benedictine Living Community.
James Happli
James G. Happli, Jr., known best as Chico, 61, Mosinee, died on Jan. 13, 2019, at home surrounded by family, under the care of Ascension Ministry Home Care Hospice Services after an audacious battle with pancreatic cancer.
Chico was born Nov. 13, 1957, in Wausau to Isabelle and the late James, Sr. On Aug. 25, 1984, he married the love of his life, Cindy Osowski, in Mosinee. During their 34 years of marriage, they enjoyed spending time with family, travelling, cheering on the Packers, gardening, yardwork, and cooking.
Chico is survived by his wife, Cindy; and daughters, Ali of Arlington, Virginia, Andrea (Daniel Murphy) of Weehawken, New Jersey, and Abigail of Chicago, Illinois. He was determined to leave his family knowing how proud he was of them, and how much he loved them.
He began working at Mosinee Paper Mill right out of high school and spent the last 43 years thinking of his co-workers as an extended family.
He is further survived by his mother, Isabelle Happli; sisters: Tessie Kaiser, Barb (Jack) Kaiser, Julie (Duane) Boehm, and Janet (Dale) Boehm; brothers-in-law: Gene (Jody) Osowski, Robert (Debbie) Osowski, and Allen (Tina) Osowski; sisters-in-law: Barbara (Bob) Rosine, Peggy (Fred) Raymond, Betty (Greg) Mondroski, and Kim (Mike) Valenta; a close aunt, Stephanie Pawlak (Nonnie); along with many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, James Sr.; sister, Mary Happli; father-in-law, Gene Osowski; mother-in-law, Wanda Osowski; sister-in-law, Gail Osowski; brother-in-law, Ronald Osowski; a close uncle, Chester Pawlak; as well as many other aunts and uncles.
It is impossible to put into words the man Chico was to not only his wife and daughters, but also family and friends. A husband, father, son, brother, uncle, friend, and man of few words – he was whatever anyone needed him to be, and he will be sorely missed by many.
The family wishes to thank Douglas B. Evans, MD, and staff at Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin; along with Isaac K. Yeboah, MD, Richard J. Mercier, MD, and the Palliative Care team at Marshfield Medical Center for their care over the last 4+ years.
Memorial services will be held at 7 p.m., on Friday, Jan. 18, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 3158 Halder Drive, Mosinee. Father Felix will officiate. Visitation will be from 3 p.m. until the time of Mass.
The John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assiting the family. For online condolences, visit www.HonorOne.com.
Lori Ostrowski
Lori A. Ostrowski, 50, of Wittenberg died on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
Lori was born in Antigo, the daughter of the late Frank and Joan (DeBroux) Hable. On April 20, 1996, Lori was united in marriage to Duane Ostrowski in Wausau. He survives.
Lori was a 1986 graduate of Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School. She was employed at Graphic Packaging as a fork lift driver and machine operator for 26 years, where she was a long-time union officer. She was a member of St. Florian Catholic Church, Hatley. Lori loved to read, was a competitive game player and enjoyed her breakfast club. Lori enjoyed spending time with her family and friends and family get-togethers.
Lori is survived by her husband, Duane; siblings, Lisa (Duane) Zywicki, Kathy (Randy) Walinski, Mary (Paul) Sippl, Betty (Bernie) Bowman, Dan Hable, Frank Hable Jr, Bob Hable, Theresa (Roy) Spranger and Ed Hable; mother-in-law, Carol (Harold) Kluck; brother-in-law, Dale Ostrowski; sister-in-law, Anita (Ken) Lehman; one goddaughter, Grace Zywicki; 15 nieces and nephews and nine great- nieces and nephews.
Lori was preceded in death by her parents, Joan Hable and Frank Hable one sister, Catherine Hable, one nephew, Brian Bowman, godparents, Joe (Meta) Tautges, father-in-law, Edward Ostrowski and many relatives and a few close friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 18, 2019, at St. Florian Catholic Church in Hatley. Fr. Greg Bohren will officiate. Burial will be in St. Boniface Cemetery, Aniwa. Visitation will be on Thursday from 4 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. with a rosary recited at 7:30 p.m. at Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home in Wittenberg. Visitation will continue Friday at St. Florian’s from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. with a rosary recited at 10:30 a.m..
Memories and condolences may be shared at schmidtschulta.com or at Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home on Facebook.
The family would like to thank Brenda Balthazor and the staff at the Birnamwood clinic as well as Dr. Peterson and the oncology staff at Aspirus Regional Cancer Center for their kind and compassionate care.
Anton “Tony” Grabko
Anton “Tony” Grabko, 89, of Hatley passed away on Friday, Jan. 11, 2019, at his home under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services and surrounded by his family.
He was born on Aug. 5, 1929, in the town of Reid, son of the late Alexander and Elizabeth (Kuklinski) Grabko. On Nov. 30, 1957, he married Rosemary Furmack at St. Ladislaus Catholic Church in Bevent. She survives.
Tony worked at Marathon Electric for 40 years, retiring in 1992. He also worked for the town of Reid dump – a job he truly enjoyed, often bringing home treasures to his four children, and also cutting grass in the ditches with his Farmall H. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, cutting firewood, and most of all, his hobby farm.
Survivors include his wife, Rosemary Grabko of Hatley, his four children, Diane (Ashley) Bungert of Arizona, Jerome (Pam) Grabko, and Carol (Jerome) Topczewski all of Hatley, and Lori (Gary) Pingel of Ringle; eight grandchildren, Nicole, AJ (Emiley), Tyler, Matt (Angela), Jenny (Brad), Alex, Katie, Evan, and Justin; five great-grandchildren, Liana, Andrew, Gabbie, Lexi and Emma; his siblings, Clarence (Francis) Grabko, Violet Woodel, Irene Loberg, Verna (Robert) Knishka, and Joe (Lorna) Grabko; nieces and nephews; and his “extended family”, Robin, June, and Roger Kuklinski.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Ray, and sister Pauline.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 18, 2019, at St. Ladislaus Catholic Church, Bevent. Rev. William Grevatch will officiate. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be from noon until the time of Mass on Friday 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.
The family would like to thank Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services, Wausau, especially Tanya and Hailey, for the care they provided.
Kathryn Cartoney Jansen
Kathryn F. Cartoney Jansen died on Monday, Jan. 7, 2019. She was born on May 19, 1938, in Stillwater, Minnesota, to James and Florence (Burmaster) Cartoney. She was raised by her grandmother Clarah and Aunts Pat, Gina, Pauline and Kit.
She married John E Jansen Jr. on April 28, 2007, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Lake St. Croix Beach, Minnesota. Katy worked her whole life for ABC Lumber in the office. She was a long-time member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church of Stillwater, where she was a very active member, later joining John at St. Francis of Assisi. Katy loved her family, her family of friends, her cats, music, swimming, and going out to eat.
She is survived by her cousins, Evelyn (Dave) Adkins; Seattle, Washington; Linda Lisboa; Seattle; Chris and Becky (Mayville) Herb and their children Shane, Emma and Carter of Wittenberg, Wisconsin, Dan (Christa) Kelley and their children Brittney, Ryan and Jay of Hagar City, Wisconsin, and John’s extended family. She will also be missed by close family Eunice Johnson of Ogden, Utah; as well as many special friends, including Kathy and Ron Felch and Peggy Ryan of Stillwater.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in the springtime at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Stillwater, Minnesota.
Donations can be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association in Katy’s honor.
Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Wittenberg, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared at schmidtschulta.com or at Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home on Facebook.
