Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Gertrude Gerrow
Gertrude E. Gerrow, 94, died Tuesday, March 12, 2019, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services at Rennes Health and Rehab Center, Weston.
She was born Oct. 17, 1924, in Mosinee, daughter of the late Stanley and Lucia (Hilber) Stachura. On Dec. 2, 1944, she married Emory Gerrow in Wausau. He preceded her in death on April 11, 1993.
Gertrude started her working career in the office at Employers Mutual, followed by a job at Stefke Freight and then many years at Crestline Windows, which was later bought out by Sentry Insurance. She was very personable, always smiling and enjoyed playing cards with friends. Gertrude was also an avid Brewers and Packers fan.
Survivors include her son Woody (Jan) Gerrow, Kronenwetter, daughters Diane (Pat) Sippl, Oregon, Wisconsin, Nancy (Ron) Smith, Fargo, North Dakota, grandchildren Kurt (Kelly) Gerrow, Kim (Dean) Waldvogel, Kelly (Sue Heil) Gerrow, Terri (Egbert Lloyd) Sippl, Troy (Julie Braden) Sippl, Angela Smith, Mike Smith, great-grandchildren Aaron (Randi) Felch, Kori Gerrow, Adam Gerrow, Logan Lloyd, Raj Smith, great-great grandchildren Madalyn, William and Isabelle Felch, and sisters Lorraine Boehm and Evelyn Romans.
Besides her parents and husband, Gertrude was preceded in death by her grandsons Benjamin and Bradley Smith, brothers Jim, Howard, Ray, Chuck and Don Stachura, sisters Bernice Sudowski, Ceil O’Neal, Marion Johnson and brothers-in-law Henry Sudowski, Charles O’Neal, Elmo Romans, Louie Johnson and Armin Boehm.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 20, 2019, at St. Michael Catholic Church, Wausau. The Very Rev. Msgr. Mark Pierce will preside. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Wausau. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau, and again on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at St. Michael Catholic Church, Wausau.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Gertrude’s family would like to express their thanks for all the wonderful care she received from Rennes Health and Rehab and from Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.
Charlene Nowak
Charlene S. Nowak, 87, died Wednesday, March 13, 2019, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services at her home.
She was born May 31, 1931, in Duluth, Minnesota, daughter of the late Charles and Olive Seipp. On Oct. 15, 1966, she married Gerald “Jerry” Nowak in Duluth, Minnesota. He preceded her in death on Aug. 10, 2011.
Charlene graduated from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota, with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and worked many years as a registered nurse. She was a very religious woman and above all else she loved her family. Time spent with her family camping and traveling was cherished by Charlene.
Survivors include her son, Christopher (Rhonda) Nowak, Merrill; daughter, Mary Joy Nowak, Savannah, Georgia; grandchildren, Ashley and Nickolas Nowak; brother, Charles (Barbara) Seipp; sisters-in-law, Mary Alice Seipp and Florence Boerner; brother-in-law, Roy Nowak.
Besides her parents and husband, Jerry, she was preceded in death by a brother, Martin Seipp and brother-in-law, Jim Nowak.
Memorial services will be at noon on Tuesday, March 19, 2019, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Wausau. Visitation will be Tuesday from 9 a.m. until the time of services all at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Wausau. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery at a later date.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Randal “Randy” Soper
Randal “Randy” S. Soper, 58, of Wausau died Wednesday, March 6, 2019, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
He was born Oct. 10, 1960, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, son of the late Samuel and Rosalyn (Dalen) Soper.
Randy was a veteran of the United States Navy. For many years, he worked as an IC administrator for Graebel Van Lines in Wausau.
Among his favorite pastimes, Randy enjoyed fishing, golfing, muscle cars, playing his guitar and listening to music.
Survivors include, his son, Ryan Soper, Wausau; fiancée, Kelly Narlock, Wausau; ex-wife, Mary Finnegan and her children, Shawn Zastrow and Sarah Gavinski; sister, Patty; sister-in-law, Doris Soper; nephew, Adam Soper, niece, Erin Cesterow; and many other relatives and friends.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Richard “Rick” Soper.
Memorial services will be at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 18, 2019, at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau, with full military honors conducted by the American Legion Montgomery Plant Dudley Post No. 10, Wausau. Rev. Joy Nelson-Jeffers will officiate. Visitation will be on Monday from 3 p.m. until time of services at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Sherri Kreft
Sherri M. Kreft of Marathon passed away Wednesday, March 13, 2019, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
She was born Feb. 13, 1947, in Athens, daughter of the late Sylvester and Linda (Hardt) Schmitt. On May 27, 1967, she married Duane Kreft at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Athens. He survives.
Sherri was primarily a homemaker, but also worked as a dietary aide at Aspirus Wausau Hospital for many years. She enjoyed shopping and baking, being the “go to” volunteer mom for her two children during their school years, as well as bowling and snowmobiling in her earlier years. She would tell you that her greatest happiness came from spending time with her “three little angels,” the grandchildren.
Survivors include her husband, Duane Kreft, Marathon, two children, Tammy (Greg) Haas, River Falls, and Tim (Amii) Kreft, Mosinee, three grandchildren, Brittany Haas, Connor and Sierra Kreft, her three brothers, Orlando Schmitt, Duane (Helen) Schmitt, and Darrel Schmitt, all of Wausau, and one sister, Nathlie Venzke, Athens, and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 18, 2019, at Saint Andrew Lutheran Church, Rib Mountain. The Rev. Jenn Collins will officiate. Entombment will be in Memorial Chapel Mausoleum, Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Friends may call on Sunday from 5 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Ave., Wausau, and again on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com. Memorials may be sent to Saint Andrew Lutheran Church in Sherri’s name.
Orella Holz
Orella M. Holz, 94, passed away on Friday, March 8, 2019, at Copperleaf Memory Care in Schofield.
Orella was born in Merrill on Feb. 2, 1925, to the late Anton and Mathilda (Woller) Schult. She married Edward Holz in Merrill on Aug. 9, 1941. They were married 59 years before Edward preceded Orella in death on Jan. 23, 2002.
Sewing clothing for her daughter Debra, gardening, and reading were some of the things that Orella truly enjoyed. But most important to her were her family and her faith. She loved her daughter and granddaughter, and she lovingly served her God, and was associated with the Rib Mountain Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses for many years. Orella will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
She is survived by her daughter, Debra Holz and her granddaughter, Dana Burcher. In addition to her parents and husband, Orella was preceded in death by her sister, Viola Weisman, and her brothers, Norman, Milton, Lawrence and Eldor Schult.
A memorial talk will be given at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 18, 2019, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 3900 Hummingbird Road, Rib Mountain (Wausau). Todd Green will officiate. A graveside service will take place at Restlawn Memorial Park at a later date. Please go to helke.com to sign the family guestbook.
Leon Zimick
Leon R. Zimick, 83, passed away on March 13, 2019. He is survived by his daughter Catherine Thomas (Scott), son David Zimick, a granddaughter Katie Zimick, and three great grandsons Myles, Mason and Ashton.
He was born April 9, 1935, in Wausau, Wisconsin, and graduated from Wausau High School. After graduation, he attended the Milwaukee School of Engineering in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. On Aug. 18, 1956, he married Sally Zimick. They celebrated their 61st anniversary on Aug. 18, 2017. He spent most of his career at Weyerhaeuser Paper Mill (now Domtar) in Rothschild, Wisconsin. When he retired in 1994, he enjoyed traveling throughout the United States with his wife Sally in their RV. He also loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He is also survived by his sisters, Judy Fries (Gordie) and Ilene Sorenson (Neil), and his brother Patrick Zimick (Nancy).
He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Sally, who passed away on Jan. 8, 2018. He was also preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Florence Zimick and his grandson Joshua Zimick.
As Leon wished, no funeral or memorial service will be held.
Nicholas “Hugga” Bourdon
Nicholas “Hugga” Bourdon, H??c Sep, Black Bear, 47, of Wittenberg died unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 13, 2019.
He was born on Nov. 30, 1971, in Milwaukee, the son of Nancy Prescott of Wittenberg.
He enjoyed traditional Pow Wow dancing, playing video games and going to the casino. Hugga especially enjoyed traveling the country and spending time with family.
Survivors include his mother, Nancy Prescott of Wittenberg; siblings, Scott Bourdon of Clintonville, Tim Bourdon of Hatley and April (Joe) Daniels Sr. of Crandon and many other family members and friends.
Hugga was preceded in death by his grandparents, Esau Prescott and Minnie Little Wolf.
Commitment service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 16, at the Native American Church, Wittenberg. Visitation will be on Friday, from 10:30 until 5 p.m. at the church. Interment will be in the John Stacy Memorial Cemetery, Wittenberg.
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.
Ron Beran
Ron Beran, 57, of Birnamwood died unexpectedly on Saturday, March 9, 2019.
He was born on Oct. 3, 1961, the son of Edward and Marlene (Janssen) Beran. On Oct. 1, 1983, he married Kim Nelson in Bowler, Wisconsin. She survives.
Ron began farming at age 10, and worked at his family’s farm for many years before beginning his work with heavy machinery. His most recent work was with Matsche Farms, operating heavy equipment for their farm. He enjoyed hunting, clearing land and four wheeling. He loved going to his cabin and camping on his family’s land in Polar. Ron enjoyed watching “American Pickers,” “Storage Wars” and old westerns. He will be deeply missed by his family.
Survivors include his wife, Kim Beran of Birnamwood; his son, Josh (Brianna) Beran of Birnamwood; two grandchildren, Koleton and Aubree; his mother, Marlene Beran of Birnamwood; brother, Bob (Rhoda) Beran of Pulaski; four sisters, Cindy (Jerome) Grabko of Birnamwood, Diane Beran of Zumbrota, Minnesota, Tammy (Mike) Zoromski of Galloway, and Sandy (Bob) Schoen of Pella; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father Edward Beran, and his mother and father-in -law, Earl and Patricia Nelson.
Funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 15, 2019, at Schmidt and Schulta Funeral Home, Wittenberg. Rev. Clifford Kessen officiated. Visitation was held on Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, and on Friday from 9 a.m. until the time of service, all at the funeral Home in Wittenberg.
Memories and condolences may be given at schmidtschulta.com or on Facebook at Schmidt and Schulta.
Judy Barth
Judy Jean Barth, 71, of Wittenberg, formerly of Tigerton, passed away on Wednesday, March 6, 2019, at her home.
She was born on Feb. 2, 1948, in Tigerton, daughter of the late Lester and Evelyn (Jelinski) Severson. On Jan. 26, 1973, she married Lennard Barth in Shawano, Wisconsin. He preceded her in death on Aug. 13, 1999.
Judy was a homemaker and loved her family. She especially enjoyed the times spent with her grandchildren.
Survivors include four children, Paul Barth of Marion, Pamela (Jeffery) Suehring of Wittenberg, Eric (Ryan Ines) Barth of San Diego, California, and Tracy Barth of Sheboygan; her grandchildren, Madelaine, Joshua, Brittany (Brandon), Jazmine, and Bob; sister-in-law, Fae Severson of Embarrass and her best friend of many years, Sandy Steffens of Appleton.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Lennard, and siblings, Ruth Severson and Roy Severson.
A private funeral service will be held. Burial will be in Union Cemetery, Tigerton. 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.
