Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Emogene “Jean” Hanson
Emogene “Jean” Gladys Hanson, 90, Wausau, died Monday, Jan. 21, 2019, at the Aspirus Hospice House under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.
Jean was born April 16, 1928, to the late Albert H. and Adela L. (Ventzke) Dehnke in Augusta, Wisconsin. Jean married Lawrence “Larry” K. Hanson on July 6, 1957, at Trinity Lutheran Church, town of Wausau. The couple celebrated 46 loving years together prior to Larry’s death on Aug. 21, 2003. She was trained by a French maid and worked as a housekeeper for the Woodson family early on before going to work for the Marathon Bait Shop making fishing flies. For the next 25 years, she worked for Kraft Foods, retiring as a line operator and later volunteering at Bethesda.
Jean loved to love people and was always cheerful, charming and kind. She was the glue that held her large family together and her house was the gathering place for many, many good times; especially her annual Halloween and birthday parties. Jean also treasured her time spending nearly every weekend at the cottage on Currie Lake with Larry, sailing and bringing family together. Her faith gave her life purpose and meant everything to her and she spent many years working with the Ladies Aid at Trinity Lutheran Church. Though never having children of their own, Jean and Larry loved their furbaby Teddy and treated him like a member of the family.
Jean is survived by her brother, Gordon Dehnke of Fall Creek, Wisconsin; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Harvey and Terry Hanson of Rothschild; many loving nieces and nephews and extended family and friends. She is preceded in death by her three sisters.
The funeral service for Jean will be at noon on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 4103 N. 69th St., Wausau, WI 54403). Rev. Scott Holoubek will officiate. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Saturday. Jean will be entombed beside her cherished husband, Larry, at Restlawn Memorial Park Mausoleum, town of Texas. Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Warm appreciation goes to Jean’s dear friends up North who were as close to her as her beloved family.
Jean was a very special person and will be missed by many, but we will take comfort in knowing she will once again be reunited with her beloved husband, Larry. It’s unlikely that we will ever again sip a margarita without loving memories of this wonderful, much loved lady.
Mary Lehner
Mary Nell Lehner, 83, of Weston entered into the loving arms of her Savior on Jan. 20, 2019.
She was born on May 24, 1935, to the late Alfred and Ruth (Keturi) Anderson in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She attended Wausau High School, as well as both UW-Madison and UW-Stevens Point. Mary married Kenneth B. Lehner on March 30, 1957, in Antigo.
Mary was a school administrator for Faith Christian Academy in Wausau, where her love for God and others was shared. Her beautiful legacy and zeal for sharing the gospel has been passed on to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is now in the presence of Jesus and is singing with him. Mary’s family looks forward to joining her in heaven one day.
She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Kenneth; children, Lori (Larry) Mollan, Pattie (Karlen) Anderson, and Cheryl (Pat) Vanderwerf; as well as nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019, at Wausau Bible Church, 1300 Grand Ave., Wausau, WI 54403. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Interment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park.
Brainard Funeral Home – Everest Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.brainardfuneral.com.
Larry Knauf
Larry M. Knauf, 54, Marathon, died Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, at his home.
He was born Nov. 18, 1964, in Wausau, son of the late Philip Sr. and Delores (Fischer) Knauf.
The family would like to thank everybody at Northern Valley West and ADS for all the care and love they gave Larry to make his life more enjoyable. He was the greeter at the workshops because he would shake everybody’s hand when they would come. Also, a special thank you to Donna Lenzner, his longtime case worker, for all you did for Larry. He had health obstacles from birth and we are thankful we had him as long as we did. He will be greatly missed.
Survivors include three brothers, James (Rose) Knauf, Philip “Butch” Knauf Jr. and Thomas Knauf, all of Marathon; two sisters, Phyllis (Gerald) Klinger, Rhinelander, and Mary Jane (LaVerne) Furger, Marathon; one niece, Cheryl Knauf; and four nephews, Scott Klinger, Jim (Norma) Furger, Bob (Connie) Furger and Jerry Knauf.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon. Rev. Msgr. Joseph Diermeier will preside. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be on Saturday from 10 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.
Bradley Rodman
Bradley R. Rodman, 42, Wausau, formerly of Edgar, died Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, at North Central Health Care Center, Wausau, due to myotonic muscular dystrophy.
He was born Jan. 28, 1976, in Medford, son of Judy E. (Becker) Ulrick, Weston, and the late Robert G. Rodman.
As a young man, Bradley helped his parents on their family farm in the town of Frankfort. He took great pride in being in charge of the calves. After they left the farm, he went to work at the Korner Kitchen for over two years, then moved to Wausau and lived at Opportunity Inc. on Sherman Street in Wausau.
Bradley was an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers, Brewers and the Wisconsin Badgers. He also enjoyed watching WWE wrestling and cherished the time he spent with his family.
Survivors include his mother and stepfather, Judy (Jim) Ulrick, Weston, his brothers, Brian (Cindy) Rodman and Blain (Diane) Rodman, both of Wausau, his stepsister, Julie Ulrick, Mosinee, four nephews, Nathan, Joshua, Thomas and Robert Rodman, three aunts, Jean (Wayne) Brown, Jane (Daniel) Schaeffer and Martha Rodman.
Besides his grandparents and his father, he was preceded in death by two uncles Lyle Becker and Gene Rodman.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019, at St. John Lutheran Church (High Steeple) 119415 Huckleberry Road, Edgar. The Rev. Roger Moldenhauer will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services, all at the church. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Edgar, is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Esther Pudelko
Esther Pudelko, 94, Rothschild, died Monday, Jan. 21, 2019, at the home where she lived for 68 years.
She was born Sept. 4, 1924, in Wausau to the late Walter and Annie (Zimbauer) Halminiak. On Aug. 28, 1948, she married Ted Pudelko at St. Michael Catholic Church in Wausau. He preceded her in death on Sept 5, 2002.
Although Esther worked as a secretary at Wausau Steel for 22 years, the “job” she was most proud of was that of stay-at-home mom. Her family was her pride and joy, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed playing card games and other games with them and shared lots of love, fun and laughter with them.
Among her favorite pastimes, Esther loved to read and cook, owning a library filled with cook books! She enjoyed traveling, polka music and doing jigsaw, word and Soduko puzzles.
She was a charter member at St. Mark’s Catholic Church and enjoyed working with Mary Ann K. on the funeral committee, serving lunches after funerals. She was also a life member of the “Women of the Moose” at the Stevens Point Lodge and a member of the VFW Auxiliary.
Survivors include her son David (Jackie) Pudelko, Rothschild, daughter Connie Pudelko, Hatley, four grandchildren Jeremiah (Jessica) Johnson, Joshua (Annie) Pudelko, Ryan Pudelko, Jessica Pudelko, six great-grandchildren Amiah Johnson, Ellie Pudelko, Taylor Pudelko, Bennett Pudelko, Alex Meyer and Asher Johnson, her sister Florence Jankowski, Florida and many nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents and husband, Esther was preceded in death by her grandson Chad Johnson, her sister Theresa Bednarski and her brothers-in-law Jerry Jankowski and Theodore Bednarski.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 25, 2019, at St. Mark Catholic Church, Rothschild. Rev. Allan Slowiak will preside. Burial will be in spring at St. Paul Cemetery, Mosinee. Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. Friday until the time of services, all at the church.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Allen Olson
Allen Dale Olson, 82, of Wausau passed with peace and grace on Jan. 21, 2019, under the care of Aspirus Palliative Services, as the result of a pedestrian/auto accident on Jan. 12.
Al was born June 23, 1936, in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, the first of nine children, to Vernon and Beatrice (Lyons) Olson.
Allen attended school in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Marquette, Michigan, Escanaba, Michigan, Briarton, Wisconsin, and Wausau, Wisconsin, graduating from Wausau East in 1955. He was an excellent student and life-long learner. Continuing his education at the Northcentral Technical College, Al was inducted into Sigma Alpha Lambda in June 1993 and graduated with honors in February 1994.
Al proudly served in the US Air Force. From April 1956 through December 1959, he was stationed in Paris. His duties primarily involved integrating current and forecasted atmospheric weather conditions into operations and planning.
Allen’s fine work ethic began in his early formative years helping supplement family coffers. Al delivered papers, returned glass bottles and unsuccessfully sold chintzy items door to door. Later he assisted his father, Vern, in furnace installations, collected delinquent bills, worked as an office rep/bookkeeper for Northern Mattress and Wisconsin River Supply Co., and as live-in caregiver for the homebound. He was currently the night manager at the Riverview Terrace Assisted Living Center.
His passion was his faith in Jesus Christ and for his church family.
He received Jesus in his heart during the summer of 1989 and was baptized in the Holy Spirit in the spring of 1991. Al was baptized in water September 1991 and became a member of the Assembly of God Church (THRIVE) on Jan. 21, 1999.
It was during his spiritual journey that he learned to know Christ’s saving love in facing daily struggles with food addiction and depression.
He willingly and joyfully took on roles to be involved in church life. In 2001, at the Wisconsin Valley Fair, he spread the gospel of Jesus Christ while he was at the God Mobile. Al said the best thing he enjoyed about the God Mobile was “talking to the people. I’m usually not very outgoing, but once, I get going … !”
Al ushered faithfully at Thrive Church for every service and mentored usher newbies, staff members and associate pastors alike. He was known as the church gatekeeper and would come with his keys at the ready when he saw a car pull in. On his church rounds, he would leave many, many, empty and half empty coffee cups behind in his wake.
Allen will be forever remembered for his corny sense of humor, his quirks, his fashion sense, his housekeeping style, his willingness to help those in need, his inability to say no, and for ‘Al’s coffee corner” in church.
His greatest loving lesson was what he taught each sibling during his last days spent in intensive and palliative Care.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Beatrice; brother, Warren Olson; and sisters-in-law, Betty Olson and Florence Olson. He will be lovingly remembered by his brothers and sisters, Verneen (Don) Londerville, Wayne Olson, Gregory (Nadeen) Olson, Daniel (Deborah) Olson, V. Thomas (Karen) Olson, Toni (Michael) Sanford, and Faye (Dennis) Hardt. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and his entire Thrive Church family.
A funeral service to honor a life well-lived will be held Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. at Thrive Church, 400 Grand Ave., Wausau. Pastor Thomas J. Harris will officiate. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Luncheon will follow per Al’s express wishes.
The family would like to thank Pastor T.J., the Wausau Fire Department EMTs, chaplain and officers of the Wausau Police Department, the Social Service advocate and all the wonderful nurses and doctors of the intensive care and the palliative care units of Aspirus Hospital, Wausau, for their care, comfort, support and compassion shown to Allen and his family.
Allen will be sadly missed at the “Olson Morning Coffee(s).”
John J. Buettgen Funeral Home/Mid-Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting the family at this time. For online condolences, please visit www.HonorOne.com.
William “Bill” Wojcik
William “Bill” J. Wojcik, 93 of Bevent passed away on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019, at his home with his beloved wife of 69 years by his side.
He was born on Sept. 7, 1925, in Bevent, son of the late John and Mary (Cherek) Wojcik. On May 28, 1949, he married the love of his life, Mary Ann Filtz, at St. Ladislaus Catholic Church in Bevent. She survives.
Bill was a gentle, honest and hardworking man. These traits were displayed in every part of his life. Throughout Bill’s working career, he worked at Marathon Electric, drove milk truck for Morning Glory, installed drywall, built homes alongside his son-in-law, Karl, drove for JayMar and farmed. He also took great pride in his apple orchard, pruning and polishing his trees and apples every year. His love for agriculture, the land and craftsmanship has been passed onto his family.
He was an active member of St. Ladislaus Church, serving in Men’s Rosary Society for 49 years. Bill was an avid Packers and Brewers fan. He enjoyed visiting with his family, baking cookies with Mary Ann and was known for always remembering his loved ones with a greeting card on their special day. He will be remembered for the unconditional love he showed Mary Ann up until his last day and his strong faith. He will be greatly missed.
Survivors include his wife; four children, John (Carol) Wojcik of Whiting, Joan (Mike) Kaminski of Rosholt, Jerry Wojcik, and Dave (Nancy) Wojcik both of Bevent; son–in-law, Karl Filtz of Wittenberg; 18 grandchildren-Jesse, Kari Lynn, Joe, Dan, Mike, Matt, Kevin, Jennifer, Jeff, Ron, Bill, Chelsea, Sandra, Hunter, Fawn, Beth, Tyler, and Kyle; 33 great-grandchildren; sister, Vi Kazmarek of Evansville, Indiana; and one brother-in-law, William (Patricia) Filtz of Bevent.
He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Kathleen Filtz, son, Jacob Wojcik, brother, Edwin Wojcik, and sister, Irene Zepezauer.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 25, 2019, at St. Ladislaus Catholic Parish, Bevent. Rev. Charles Hiebl will officiate. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of service on Friday at the church. A Rosary service will be held at 10 a.m. 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.
